Screening Youth Soccer Players by Means of Cognitive Function and Agility Testing

Electrophysiological differences in inhibitory control processing between collegiate level soccer players and non-athletes in the absence of performance differences

Inhibitory control, the ability to manage conflicting responses and suppress inappropriate actions, is crucial for team sports athletes, including soccer players. While previous studies have shown that soccer players possess superior inhibitory control, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this advantage remain unclear. Thus, this research aimed to investigate the neural processes involved in conflict resolution and response inhibition, comparing collegiate level soccer players with non-athletes. Participants completed a novel go/no-go task that involved conflict resolution and response inhibition, while their electroencephalograms were recorded. Despite no significant difference in behavioral performance between the two groups, soccer players exhibited notable N2 and frontal midline theta modulations in response to conflict resolution and inhibition, which were comparatively weaker in non-athletes. Our findings suggest that expertise in team sports may enhance neural sensitivity to subtle yet significant information, even without a discernible behavioral advantage.

Enhanced Cognitive Inhibition in Table Tennis Athletes: Insights from Color-Word and Spatial Stroop Tasks

The ability to inhibit conflicting information is pivotal in the dynamic and high-speed context of fast-ball sports. However, the behavioral and electrophysiological characteristics underlying the cognitive inhibition processes associated with table tennis expertise remain unexplored. This study aims to bridge these research gaps by utilizing the color-word Stroop task and the spatial Stroop task alongside event-related potential (ERP) measurements to investigate domain-general and domain-specific cognitive inhibition among table tennis athletes. The study involved a total of 40 participants, including 20 table tennis athletes (11 males and 9 females; mean age 20.75 years) and 20 nonathletes (9 males and 11 females; mean age 19.80 years). The group differences in the Stroop effect on behavioral outcomes and ERP amplitudes were compared within each task, respectively. In the color-word Stroop tasks, athletes exhibited smaller incongruent-related negative potential amplitudes (Ninc; 300-400 ms; p = 0.036) and a diminished Stroop effect on late sustained potential amplitudes (LSP; 500-650 ms; p = 0.028) than nonathletes, although no significant differences were observed in behavioral outcomes (p > 0.05). Conversely, in the spatial Stroop tasks, athletes not only responded more swiftly but also exhibited reduced Stroop effects on both LSP amplitudes (350-500 ms; p = 0.004) and reaction times (p = 0.002) relative to nonathletes. These findings suggest that table tennis athletes excel in cognitive inhibition in the context of both domain-general and domain-specific tasks, particularly exhibiting enhanced performance in tasks that are closely aligned with the demands of their sport. Our results support the neural efficiency hypothesis and improve our understanding of the interactions between cognitive functions and table tennis expertise.

The effects of a smartphone game training intervention on executive functions in youth soccer players: a randomized controlled study

Cognitive training primarily aims to improve executive functions (EFs). It has become a popular research topic, as previous studies have provided preliminary evidence that EFs relate to sports performance. However, whether a domain-generic cognitive training intervention can improve EFs in high-performance athletes is still unclear. The present randomized controlled study aimed to examine the effects of an eight-week (5 min/day, 5 days/week) smartphone-based domain-generic cognitive training intervention (i.e., the smartphone game "Fruit Ninja") on EFs in youth soccer athletes (N = 33; intervention: n = 15, passive control: n = 18; German youth soccer academy). We assessed working memory (3-back task), inhibition (Flanker & Go/NoGo task), and cognitive flexibility (number-letter task) in a pre-post design with computerized tasks. The results showed no significant time x group differences attributable to the cognitive training between the intervention group and the control group, except for a response time variable of the Go/NoGo task. These preliminary results do not suggest an application of CT as a smartphone-based game to improve EFs performance in soccer players. However, more research is needed to establish the efficacy of domain-specific interventions in high-level team sport athletes.

Reliability and Usefulness of the SKILLCOURT as a Computerized Agility and Motor-Cognitive Testing Tool

INTRODUCTION

Agility and cognitive skills are essential in sports. However, standardized agility assessment tools often lack a reactive component, and cognitive assessments are performed using computer-based or paper-pencil tests. The SKILLCOURT is a newly developed testing and training device allowing agility and cognitive assessments in a more ecologically valid setting. This study evaluated the reliability and sensitivity to changes in performance (usefulness) of the SKILLCOURT technology.

METHODS

In a test-retest (7 d, 3 months) design, 27 healthy adults (♀ = 12; age, 24.9 ± 3.3 yr) performed three trials of agility (Star Run, Random Star Run) and motor-cognitive tests (1-back, 2-back, executive function). Absolute and relative intersession and intrasession reliability was determined using the intraclass coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV). A repeated-measures ANOVA was applied to identify potential learning effects between trials and test sessions. The smallest worthwhile change and typical error (TE) were calculated to investigate the intrasession and intersession usefulness of the tests.

RESULTS

Agility tests revealed good relative and absolute intersession (ICC, 83-0.89; CV, 2.7%-4.1%) and intrasession (ICC, 7-0.84; CV, 2.4%-5.5%) reliability accompanied by adequate usefulness from test day 3 onward. Motor-cognitive tests showed good relative intersession reliability (ICC, 0.7-0.77) with marginal CV values (4.8%-8.6%). Adequate intrasession reliability and usefulness can be assumed from test day 2 (1-back test, executive function test) and day 3 (2-back test) onward. For all tests, learning effects were observed within and compared with test day 1.

CONCLUSIONS

The SKILLCOURT is a reliable diagnostic tool for assessing reactive agility and motor-cognitive performance. Because of learning effects, sufficient familiarization with the tests is required when used for diagnostic purposes.

Validity of the SKILLCOURT® technology for agility and cognitive performance assessment in healthy active adults

Background/Objectives

Agility and cognitive abilities are typically assessed separately by different motor and cognitive tests. While many agility tests lack a reactive decision-making component, cognitive assessments are still mainly based on computer-based or paper-pencil tests with low ecological validity. This study is the first to validate the novel SKILLCOURT technology as an integrated assessment tool for agility and cognitive-motor performance.

Methods

Thirty-two healthy adults performed agility (Star Run), reactive agility (Random Star Run) and cognitive-motor (executive function test, 1-back decision making) performance assessments on the SKILLCOURT. Cognitive-motor tests included lower limb responses in a standing position to increase the ecological validity when compared to computer-based tests. Test results were compared to established motor and agility tests (countermovement jump, 10 m linear sprint, T-agility tests) as well as computer-based cognitive assessments (choice-reaction, Go-NoGo, task switching, memory span). Correlation and multiple regression analyses quantified the relation between SKILLCOURT performance and motor and cognitive outcomes.

Results

Star Run and Random Star Run tests were best predicted by linear sprint (r = 0.68, p < 0.001) and T-agility performance (r = 0.77, p < 0.001), respectively. The executive function test performance was well explained by computer-based assessments on choice reaction speed and cognitive flexibility (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). The 1-back test on the SKILLCOURT revealed moderate but significant correlations with the computer-based assessments (r = 0.47, p = 0.007).

Conclusion

The results support the validity of the SKILLCOURT technology for agility and cognitive assessments in more ecologically valid cognitive-motor tasks. This technology provides a promising alternative to existing performance assessment tools.

Differences in body composition, static balance, field test performance, and academic achievement in 10–12-year-old soccer players

Introduction: This study aimed to compare 10–12-year-old Qatari male soccer players (n = 45) regarding different dimensions (anthropometric, academic and physical performance).

Methods: Anthropometric parameters (body mass, fat percentage (%BF), body mass index (BMI)) academic achievement (mathematics and science grade point average [GPA]) and physical performance [Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (level 1), squat jumps (SJ), counter-movement jumps (CMJ), stork balance test, 10 and 15 m sprint tests, T-half test for change-of-direction (CoD) ability, hand-grip strength, medicine ball throw (MBT)] were measured. Schoolchild soccer players were divided into three groups: 12-year-old players (U12; n = 16), 11-year-old players (U11; n = 14), 10-year-old players (U10; n = 15).

Results: Apart from mathematics, Yo-Yo IR1 and 10 m sprint, all performance parameters showed significant age effects. The largest age-related difference was observed for 15 m sprint (p &lt; 0.001). Both adjacent age groups displayed significant differences for 15 sprint (U10 vs. U11: p = 0.015; U11 vs. U12: p = 0.023). Concerning academic performance, a significant age effect was found for science (p &lt; 0.001). There was a main age effect on academic performance difference between U10 and U11 (p = 0.007). Academic parameters did not correlate with any physical performance parameter or anthropometric parameter. The strongest correlations were detected for body height and agility T-half test (r = −0.686) and medicine ball throw (r = 0.637). The biological maturity was strongly correlated with handgrip strength (r = −0.635).

Discussion: Soccer coaches and physical education teachers can use these data as reference values for evaluation of school-aged soccer players, and for ascertaining specific training targets. Obviously, short sprinting ability and aerobic capacity are not functions of age and need a specific training for significant improvements.

STRENGTH TRAINING ON SOCCER PLAYERS’ KICKING STABILITY

ABSTRACT Introduction: The physical condition of soccer players in sports competitions has improved over the years. The optimal performance of their professional skills in competitive conditions has become essential for victory in soccer matches. Objective: This paper explores the effects of different methods employing strength training on soccer kicking techniques aiming at the set that best enables the accuracy of hits through its stability. Methods: 36 soccer players were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups, with no statistical difference in fitness and the comprehensive ability characteristics of the players. Both subjects were trained for 12 weeks; only the experimental group received the special strength training intervention for stability. The passing score of the curve ball in 20-meter dribbling was measured before and after training. The data were statistically treated. Results: The kicking accuracy of soccer players in the experimental group differed from before the test (P<0.01). There was also a significant difference in kicking accuracy in the control group (P<0.05). The 20-meter arc dribbling scores in the experimental group were statistically significant compared to those before the test (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the control group and the test scores on curve ball passing scores in 20-meter dribbling (P>0.05). Conclusion: Functional strength methods to achieve the goal of improving kicking accuracy in athletes have been developed. Coaches should pay attention to physical training, an attitude that encourages players to achieve sufficient physical strength for soccer games with their kicking skills. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Fitness, Fatness, and Academic Attainment in Male Schoolchildren from a Soccer Academy

This investigation explored the association between anthropometric measures, fitness, and academic attainment (mathematics and science grade point average [GPA]) in male schoolchildren from a soccer academy. Thirty-one males (age: 10.3 ± 1.19 years; body mass: 41.7 ± 6.5 kg; height: 1.43 ± 0.07 m; body mass index (BMI): 20.2 ± 2.8 kg/m2) participated. Body mass, body fat percentage (%BF), and BMI were used as measures of anthropometry. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (level 1), squat and counter-movement jumps (SJ and CMJ), static balance, 10 and 15 m sprint, and a T-half test for change-of-direction (CoD) performance were used to measure fitness parameters. The GPA of mathematics and science determined academic attainment. All physical performance tests showed excellent relative reliability. ICC was between 0.87 (10 m sprint) and 1.00 (15 m sprint, CMJ). Regarding correlations between fatness and academic attainment, we found three correlations of practical value (r > 0.5), but only for mathematics (BMI: r = 0.540, subscapular skinfold: r = 0.589, body fat: r = 0.560). Mathematics was relevantly correlated with 15 m sprint (r = 0.574) and Yo-Yo IR1 test (r = 0.770). Only static balance (r = 0.428) did not reach the relevance criteria (r > 0.5). Science only showed large correlations with static balance (r = 0.620) and Yo-Yo IR1 test (r = 0.730). In conclusion, fatness and fitness are related to academic attainment in schoolchildren. In addition, except for static balance, all physical performance parameters were relevantly (r > 0.5) correlated with mathematics.