Comparison of Anthropometric Profile and Cognitive Performance of Elite and Non-Elite Beach Volleyball Athletes

Danny Paollo Leite De Arruda,Eric De Lucena Barbosa,Pedro Henrique Marques De Lucena,Renata Gouveia Nunes,Nilo Montenegro Netto Segundo,Marcos Antônio De Araujo Leite Filho,Marcos Antônio Camilo De Almeida,Pedro Augusto Mariz Dantas,Clizaldo Luiz Maroja Di Pace França,Anderson Karlos De Luna Ramalho Santos,Alexandre Santos Da Costa,Natália Herculano Paz,Rossini Freire De Araújo,Ramon Cunha Montenegro,Lenilson Silva Dos Santos,Carlos Renato Paz

doi:10.5772/intechopen.98971

Abstract

To compare the anthropometric profile and cognitive performance of elite and non-elite beach volleyball athletes. Comparative and descriptive study. The sample was composed by 8 athletes, divided in 2 groups: elite (n = 4) and non-elite (n = 4). They were evaluated in anthropometric parameters age, weight and height, and the variables of the cognitive performance evaluated by the battery of computerized tests CogState® (Brief Battery): Detection (Simple Reaction Time); Identification (Choice Reaction Time); One Back Speed (Working Memory); One Back Acuracy (Short Term Memory). Data were classified as non-parametric with the dispersion curve analysis performed by the Shapiro Wilk test. Anthropometric profile and cognitive performance variables were compared with the Mann Whitney U test between the groups. The procedures were performed with a significance level of p < 0.05 using the Statistical Package for the Social Science - SPSS®, Version 25.0. It was observed that there was significant difference in the anthropometric profile in the variable age (sig = 0.029) and in the cognitive performance significant differences occurred in the variables Detec (sig = 0.029) and Indent (sig = 0.029) of elite and not elite athletes of the beach volleyball modality. Elite and non-elite beach volleyball athletes present significant differences in the anthropometric variable (Age) and in the variables of cognitive performance (Detection and Identification) where elite athletes have a better cognitive performance than the non- elite athletes.

Highlights

In the sportive competitions elite and not elite athletes have a demand for significant results
It was observed that there was significant difference in the anthropometric profile in the variable age and in the cognitive performance significant differences occurred in the variables Detec and Indent of elite and not elite athletes of the beach volleyball modality
There are four elements that stand out with the development and neural adaptations of elite athletes [7]. (1) neural efficiency, which in turn is linked to a smaller amplitude in relation to the neuroelectric activity, causing a lower brain energy expenditure (2) referring to a larger cortical expansion, which is linked to motor and sensorial skills (3) specialized processing occurs in specific brain regions, which are developed through sports experiences lived by athletes, which induces the automation of neuroelectric connections (4) internal models, which cause the athlete to mentally simulate sports situations to which he/she will be submitted [7, 8]

Summary

Introduction

In the sportive competitions elite and not elite athletes have a demand for significant results. (1) neural efficiency, which in turn is linked to a smaller amplitude in relation to the neuroelectric activity, causing a lower brain energy expenditure (2) referring to a larger cortical expansion, which is linked to motor and sensorial skills (3) specialized processing occurs in specific brain regions, which are developed through sports experiences lived by athletes, which induces the automation of neuroelectric connections (4) internal models, which cause the athlete to mentally simulate sports situations to which he/she will be submitted [7, 8].

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

Conflict of interest