Abstract
BackgroundThe use of dedicated training programs for improving decision-making (DM) in team sports players has grown in the last several years. Approaches such as imagery training, video-based training, or game-based drills are some of the interventions used in youth players in order to improve DM. However, no systematic reviews or meta-analyses have been conducted to summarize the main evidence regarding the effects of these programs on the players and identify the magnitude of the effects compared to control groups.ObjectiveThis systematic review (with meta-analysis) was conducted to assess the effects of training programs on the DM of youth team sports players.Data SourcesThe data sources utilized were PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science.Study eligibility criteriaThe criteria included the following: (i) youth (≤ 18 years old) team sports players with no restriction on sex or competitive level; (ii) players subjected to training programs to develop DM; (iii) control groups; (iv) pre–post outcomes related to tactical behavior, technical execution, reaction, and decision time; and (v) controlled trials.ResultsThe database search initially identified 2497 titles. From these, six articles were eligible for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed a significant beneficial effect of DM interventions on tactical behavior (ES = 1.12; p = 0.035; I2 = 80.0%; Egger’s test p = 0.066), whereas no significant effect of DM interventions on technical execution was found (ES = 0.74; p = 0.180; I2 = 69.1%; Egger’s test p = 0.873).ConclusionThe DM interventions were significantly effective in improving tactical behavior in youth team sports players independently from the number of sessions to which players were exposed. In addition, DM interventions were significantly effective in improving technical execution. However, the results should be carefully interpreted due to the heterogeneity of the articles’ overall methodological quality. Future DM interventions should consider using combined approaches that allow players to develop both tactical behavior and technical execution.
Highlights
Team sports can be characterized as a dynamic system in which decisions made by players are crucial to improvements in individual and collective performance (McGarry et al, 2002)
There was a significant effect of DM interventions on tactical behavior (ES = 1.12; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.08 to 2.16; p = 0.035; I2 = 80.0%; Egger’s test p = 0.066; Figure 2)
No significant sub-group difference in tactical behavior (p = 0.993) was found when DM training interventions < 12 sessions were compared to DM training interventions > 12 sessions
Summary
Team sports can be characterized as a dynamic system in which decisions made by players are crucial to improvements in individual and collective performance (McGarry et al, 2002). Various decisions are made by players resulting from the perception–action cycle and influenced by functional constraints (Araújo et al, 2019). The use of dedicated training programs for improving decision-making (DM) in team sports players has grown in the last several years. Approaches such as imagery training, video-based training, or game-based drills are some of the interventions used in youth players in order to improve DM. No systematic reviews or meta-analyses have been conducted to summarize the main evidence regarding the effects of these programs on the players and identify the magnitude of the effects compared to control groups
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