Cognitive Functioning of Preadolescent Gymnasts, Including Bioelectrical Brain Activity

Abstract

Our main aim in this study was to investigate cognitive functioning in young gymnasts. The study group consisted of 86 children, aged 10–12 years: (a) a criterion group of 41 juvenile athletes ( Mage = 11.23; SDage = 0.93) who trained six times per week; and (b) a comparison group of 45 children ( Mage = 11.11; SDage = 0.61) who were not involved competitively in sports but who were mostly quite physically active. We measured attention, memory processes, and bioelectrical brain activity in the central region (Cz; where there are connections to motor control, movement, and sensation). We found significant differences between our two participant groups in short-term memory, deferred naming memory, and long-term memory of visual material. Children who practiced gymnastics had a better attention span than those who did not, and children who were non-athletes but who undertook physical activity more frequently than five times per week had a different theta/sensory motor rhythm (SMR) brain wave ratio (with SMR higher), meaning that they felt calmer and more relaxed.