Cognitive functioning of short-track speedskaters versus soccer players

Beek, Isabelle, van (2026) Cognitive functioning of short-track speedskaters versus soccer players. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Research suggests that elite athletes may possess superior cognitive abilities compared to non-athletes, particularly in executive functioning. Within this literature, distinctions are often made between athletes participating in different sport types, such as open- and closed-skill sports, which may place different cognitive demands on athletes.. The present study examined whether these cognitive differences exist between athletes from an open-skill sport (soccer) and a closed-skill sport (short-track speed skating; STSS). A total of 173 elite athletes participated in the study, including 122 soccer players and 51 STSS athletes. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Metrisquare Cognitive Test Battery (MCTC), using five of the measures for the following cognitive domains: processing speed, sustained attention, inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine whether athlete type predicted cognitive performance while controlling for age and education. Results indicated no significant differences between soccer players and STSS athletes on measures of processing speed, sustained attention, inhibition, or working memory. However, soccer players performed significantly better on the cognitive flexibility task. These findings suggest that cognitive differences between athletes from different sport types may be limited to specific executive functions rather than reflecting broad cognitive advantages. Overall, the results contribute to the limited body of research on cognitive functioning in short-track speed skating and indicate that athletes from these two sports display largely comparable cognitive profiles. Further research is needed to better understand how sport-specific demands might relate to superior cognitive functioning in elite athletes. Keywords: Short-track speed skating, soccer, lower order cognition, executive functioning, cognitive flexibility.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Meer, E.M. van der
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	14 Apr 2026 06:49
Last Modified:	14 Apr 2026 06:49
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/6369

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