The Relationship Between Cognition and Sensorimotor Behavior in an F1 Driving Simulation: An Explorative Study

Abstract

Sensorimotor control simultaneously engages multiple cognitive processes, like decision making, intention, processing, and the integration of multisensory signals. The reciprocal relationship of cognition and sensorimotor learning is well documented. However, little is known if the status of cognitive skills relates to immediate sensorimotor performance of performing a novel skill. Thus, we aim to explore whether cognitive skills in general and executive functions (EFs) in particular may relate to novel sensorimotor performance and adaptive skills. Therefore, 23 male participants engaged in a novel driving simulation for 2 days. On the first day, they accustomed to the F1 simulation until meeting a preset threshold (adaption). On the second day, they aimed to drive as fast as possible (performance). In addition, we measured EFs and global cognition. We found meaningful relationships between response inhibition (Stroop Color and Word Test), the driving performance (r = 0.48, p = 0.013), and the adaptive ability (r = 0.34, p = 0.012). All other tests of executive functioning and global cognition remained non-significant. Our results illustrate an association of driving performance and adaptive abilities and the EF selective attention/inhibition in a novel F1 simulation. Given the novelty of the task, the ability to adjust sensorimotor behavior to keep the car on the track seems to be the primary necessary skill to navigate the lap and achieve fast times.

Cognition in soccer and futsal: evidence of validity of a 4-instrument protocol to assess executive functioning among women athletes

“…Altogether, results from studies 1 and 2 yielded evidence to support both the use and validity of our 4-instrument protocol to assess core and higher-level executive functioning among soccer and futsal athletes. However, we did not accomplish in totality, retrieving some results that only partially corroborated with previous literature, not entirely [ 14 – 18 , 21 – 26 , 56 , 57 ]. Nonetheless, to have a protocol that researchers from different areas of the globe can adopt and conduct their studies might ease the issues highlighted by Kalén et al [ 30 ], the excessive heterogeneity of measures leading to varied results that, as it happened in our studies, do not fully corroborate to each other.…”

“…The study of Vestberg et al [ 16 ] found statistical difference in higher EFs among male soccer players from the first and the fourth division of the Swedish league, whereas our study did not find the same results regarding higher-order EF, we did find it in vWM and inhibition. Results comparing EFs in diverse levels of competitiveness were similar [ 14 , 17 , 18 , 21 – 26 ]. Which means that our study was able to reproduce previous findings in a sample of Brazilian female soccer and futsal players.…”

“…The differences between elite and lower-division athletes in EFs has been investigated in several studies [ 14 , 16 – 18 , 21 – 26 ]. It seems that executive functioning may vary by sport type among elite and recreational athletes [ 23 , 27 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, results were quite diverse among these studies in terms of core and higher-order EFs. For instance, among F1 pilots, working memory and cognitive flexibility seem to be associated with driving skills [ 21 ], among ultra-marathon runners, inhibitory control, but not working memory is associated with levels of competitiveness [ 28 ], among table-tennis athletes, all EFs were linked to levels of competitiveness [ 22 ], among young tennis players, higher-order EFs were linked to future performance, but the study did not investigate core-EFs [ 25 ], among shooters, was inhibition significantly associated with performance, but no other EF was investigated [ 29 ].…”

Judo training program improves brain and muscle function and elevates the peripheral BDNF concentration among the elderly

“…Very recently, Ludyga et al observed that the judo training program elicited benefits for response inhibition in preadolescent children 36 . Moreover, researchers have proposed that there is a meaningful relationship between response inhibition in the Stroop Colour and Word Test and driving performance 37 . Thus, the effectiveness of JEX training in this cognitive domain can directly translate into the everyday functioning of the elderly.…”