Multidimensional cognitive functioning across sport classifications: insights from high-performance athletes

Recent research indicates that high-performance athletes may exhibit superior cognitive functioning, yet much of this work has examined single domains in isolation, without considering how cognitive profiles may differ across types of sport. To address this gap, the current study adopts a multi-domain framework to examine domain-general cognitive functioning in high-performance athletes. The sample consisted of 188 athletes from a regional level training/development organization (n_Female = 109, n_Male = 79; Mean age ± SD: 16.56 ± 1.95 years). Athletes completed a battery of computerized neuropsychological tests assessing a broad range of cognitive functioning, including aspects of working memory, inhibition, attention/concentration, and spatial processing. Athletes from team sports outperformed those in speed/strength and precision/skill-dependent sports, particularly in tasks assessing visual short-term (working) memory (p < 0.001), response inhibition (p < 0.001), visuospatial working memory (p < 0.001), and working memory (p < 0.001). When looking at the proportion of high scores achieved across sport classifications, most athletes achieved at least one high score (75th: 83.9-94.7%), though proportions declined at higher cutoffs (91st: 42.9-60.5%). Chi-square analyses revealed that team sport athletes consistently outperformed the other groups in achieving multiple high scores, particularly at the 75th (p < 0.002) and 84th (p < 0.001) percentile cutoffs. These findings provide a foundation for future research to advance our understanding of how sport-specific demands may be associated with cognitive functioning.