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The effects of a smartphone game training intervention on executive functions in youth soccer players: a randomized controlled study
- Source :
- Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, Vol 5 (2023)
- Publication Year :
- 2023
- Publisher :
- Frontiers Media S.A., 2023.
-
Abstract
- 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.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 26249367
- Volume :
- 5
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.447b3e4d9704372bdbf145da65e1536
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1170738