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Young Soccer Players With Higher Tactical Knowledge Display Lower Cognitive Effort
Felippe da S L Cardoso1, Sixto González-Víllora2, José Guilherme3
11 Centre of Research and Studies in Soccer, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 13, 2019
Summary
Young soccer players with greater declarative tactical knowledge (DTK) and procedural tactical knowledge (PTK) showed less cognitive effort. Higher tactical knowledge means less mental strain during soccer decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Motor Control
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Understanding the cognitive demands in youth soccer is crucial for effective training.
- Declarative tactical knowledge (DTK) and procedural tactical knowledge (PTK) are key components of soccer expertise.
- The relationship between tactical knowledge and cognitive effort in young athletes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how the form and amount of DTK and PTK affect cognitive effort in young soccer players.
- To determine if higher levels of tactical knowledge correlate with reduced cognitive load during performance-related tasks.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 36 male youth soccer players (average age 14.89 years) from a Brazilian first-division club.
- Evaluated DTK using video simulation tests and PTK via the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer.
- Measured cognitive effort using pupil diameter via eye-tracking while players viewed soccer scenes and made decisions.
Main Results:
- Players with higher PTK and DTK exhibited significantly less cognitive effort.
- Tactical knowledge levels were inversely related to cognitive effort during soccer performance tasks.
- The findings indicate a clear influence of both DTK and PTK on cognitive load.
Conclusions:
- Declarative tactical knowledge (DTK) and procedural tactical knowledge (PTK) significantly influence the cognitive effort expended by young soccer players.
- Developing higher levels of tactical knowledge may lead to more efficient cognitive processing during soccer performance.
- These findings have implications for optimizing training strategies to enhance both tactical understanding and cognitive efficiency in developing players.
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