Working Memory Training in Professional Football Players: A Small-Scale Descriptive Feasibility Study—The Importance of Personality, Psychological Well-Being, and Motivational Factors

Dymphie In De Braek,Timo Kleinhesselink,Kay Deckers,Leonie Banning,Rudolf Ponds

doi:10.3390/sports7040089

Abstract

Background: Working memory training (WMT) programs can improve working memory (WM). In football players, this could lead to improved performance on the pitch. Method: Eighteen professional football players of Maatschappelijke Voetbal Vereniging Maastricht (MVV) participated and followed an online, computerized WMT program. Neuropsychological performance, psychological wellbeing, self-efficacy, and football skills (Loughborough Soccer Passing Test; LSPT) were assessed at three time points, before and after WMT and at three-month follow-up. Descriptive data are reported. Results: Baseline characteristics were roughly similar for both groups. Participants performed better on the trained WM tasks, but performance for other neuropsychological test measures or the LSPT did not change. Low compliance rates were observed, showing differences in personality and well-being between compliers and non-compliers. Conclusions: WMT is not a feasible and effective strategy to improve non-trained cognitive measures and football performance. However, this study indicates that it is important to take individual characteristics into account.

Highlights

Working memory (WM) is the cognitive skill that allows us to hold information in mind for just long enough to use it [1]
The experimental and waitlist control group showed to be roughly similar in terms of age, mean intelligent quotient (IQ) score, Working memory training (WMT) start index, and performance on LPST (Table 1)
We observed drop-outs to be younger (M = 20.33, SD = 2.89 versus M = 24.55, SD = 4.03) and to have lower IQ scores (M = 83.67, SD = 22.75 versus M = 91.73, SD = 15.14) as compared to those who remained in the study. This small-scale feasibility study evaluated the effects of WMT in professional football players

Summary

Introduction

Working memory (WM) is the cognitive skill that allows us to hold information in mind for just long enough to use it [1]. WM tasks are those that require goal-oriented active monitoring or manipulation of information or behaviors in the face of interfering processes and distractions. WM can be seen as the “cognitive workbench” of the human brain, as it requires goal-oriented active monitoring or manipulation of information or behaviors in the face of interfering processes and distractions. Working memory training (WMT) programs can improve working memory (WM). In football players, this could lead to improved performance on the pitch. Participants performed better on the trained WM tasks, but performance for other neuropsychological test measures or the LSPT did not change. Conclusions: WMT is not a feasible and effective strategy to improve non-trained cognitive measures and football performance

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion