Associations between executive functions, coaches' evaluation, and performance development in youth soccer

Area of Science:

• Sports Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Executive functions (EFs) are increasingly considered in sports psychology, especially for soccer talent identification.
• Prior research suggests a link between EFs and elite performance, but their predictive validity remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and soccer performance development in elite youth players.
• To investigate associations with coaches' future potential evaluations.
• To assess age-related development and predictive value for senior performance levels.

Main Methods:

• Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations with performance.
• Multilevel analyses examined age-related developmental trends.
• The study included samples of youth elite soccer players (n=74, n=34, n=69).

Main Results:

• No significant evidence was found that EFs explain elite soccer performance in relation to coaches' evaluations or senior performance levels.
• Cognitive flexibility demonstrated age-related developmental trends comparable to the general population.

Conclusions:

• The findings question a robust link between executive functions and soccer performance ratings.
• The study highlights the need for more nuanced research on the predictive value of EFs in talent identification and development, considering sample size limitations.