Characteristics of Cognitive Abilities among Youths Practicing Football

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess selected cognitive abilities depending on age, anthropometric parametres, physical fitness and technical skills in the group of young players training football. The study covered a group of 258 young players practicing football (age: 12.1± 2.03), who were divided into 5 age categories (8–9 years old, 10–11 years old, 12–13 years old, 14–15 years old, 16–17 years old). Selected cognitive abilities include: simple reaction time (SIRT), complex reaction time (CHORT), hand-eye coordination (HECOR) and spatial orientation (SPANT). Studies were performed using Test2Drive computer tests. In addition, the level of physical fitness was measured using: The standing long jump, 30 m sprint, 20 m shuttle run test (without and with the ball) and slalom (without and with the ball). The analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between age and cognitive abilities. There was also a statistically significant correlation between fitness tests and reaction time in individual cognitive tests. There were no statistically significant relationships between technical skills and cognitive abilities. The study confirms that age and physical fitness affect the level of cognitive abilities.

Differences in discriminative reaction time between elite youth football players: a comparison between age-categories (Diferencias en el tiempo de reacción discriminativo entre jugadores de fútbol juvenil de élite: una comparación entre categorías de ed

“…The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in DRT performance between U-17 and U-15 elite players (M = 543, SD = 62.40 ms; M = 526, SD = 65.30), however with a small effect size (.13). The small effect size found in the present study, may somewhat corroborate previous research (Wojciech et al, 2021). That research showed the best level of cognitive abilities in the study was shown in the age group of 14-15 and 16 years old, where both groups had similar results (Wojciech et al, 2021).…”

“…The small effect size found in the present study, may somewhat corroborate previous research (Wojciech et al, 2021). That research showed the best level of cognitive abilities in the study was shown in the age group of 14-15 and 16 years old, where both groups had similar results (Wojciech et al, 2021).…”

“…These results could indicate that with age, the level of cognitive abilities develops until around 14 years old. Multiple regression analysis shows that age influences every psychomotor test except simple reaction time (Wojciech et al, 2021). Similar conclusions were obtained during the studies conducted by Beavan et al (2019) where the reaction time of young footballers was related to age.…”

“…In the present study, the young group (U-15) presented lower results, as well as found by Wojciech et al (2021). These results could indicate that with age, the level of cognitive abilities develops until around 14 years old.…”

“…To improve the performance of football players, a large amount of data is produced (Pinheiro et al, 2021). The literature has highlighted the importance of RT for success in football (Wojciech et al, 2021). Previous research showed that professional players have a better complex reaction time which suggests that this may be a parametre used to identify talents among young football players (Hirose, 2011).…”