Cognitive training in elite soccer players: evidence of narrow, but not broad transfer to visual and executive function

Hans-Erik Scharfen,Daniel Memmert

doi:10.1007/s12662-020-00699-y

Hans-Erik Scharfen, Daniel Memmert

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-020-00699-y

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Abstract

Visual and executive functions have been suggested to be crucial in high-demanding team sports. Consequently, the interest in evaluating training possibilities of these functions is relatively high. However, easily applicable training tools, as well as evidence of their efficacy, especially in the present group of age (i.e. 17–21 years) and performance level, are scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and transfer of an essential cognitive training tool (i.e. NeuroTracker [NT] three dimensional [3D] multiple-object tracking [MOT]) in youth elite soccer players. Visual and executive functions were analyzed in a pre–post test design with an intervention and a control group after 10 weeks of training twice a week. Physical activity was included as a possible covariate. Results show meaningful benefits in the trained ability (i.e. MOT) besides small but negligible improvements in visual clarity and inhibition for the intervention group. Consequently, strict single-task NT 3D-MOT seems to have little transfer to other visual or executive functions. However, future studies should investigate the effects of sport-specific dual-task NT 3D-MOT to analyze possible multitasking adaptations further.

Highlights

Athlete’s advantages in visual and cognitive functions are of increasing interest and are increasing attention in practitioners and scientists across the domains of sport psychology, sport science and cognitive neuroscience (Huang, Davis, Wolff, & Northoff, 2017; Callan & Naito, 2014; for review see, e.g. Yarrow, Brown, & Krakauer, 2009)
The intragroup performance differences for near–far quickness was larger in the control group than in the intervention group
The proportion overlap of the intergroup effect size difference of performance change was only meaningful in the NT 3D-MOT- and MOT score as depicted in

Summary

Introduction

Athlete’s advantages in visual and cognitive functions are of increasing interest and are increasing attention in practitioners and scientists across the domains of sport psychology, sport science and cognitive neuroscience (Huang, Davis, Wolff, & Northoff, 2017; Callan & Naito, 2014; for review see, e.g. Yarrow, Brown, & Krakauer, 2009). More recent studies belonging to a second category called cognitive component skill approach investigate fundamental visual and cognitive skills in sport-unspecific contexts (i.e. domain-general) Results of these studies indicate a superiority of elite-compared to amateur or semielite athletes in fundamental processes (for a meta-analysis see Voss, Kramer, Basak, Prakash, & Roberts, 2010; Scharfen & Memmert, 2019a). This domaingeneral cognitive superiority is best documented in elite soccer players in terms of executive functions (Vestberg, Gustafson, Maurex, Ingvar, & Petrovic, 2012; Vestberg, Reinebo, Maurex, Ingvar, & Petrovic, 2017; Verburgh, Scherder, Van Lange, & Oosterlaan, 2014, 2016; Huijgen et al, 2015). These higher-level functions altogether are called metacognition (Vestberg et al, 2012)

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