Cognitive Functions in Pre-Adolescent Children Involved in Gymnastic and Soccer

Background: Some findings underscore the cognitive benefits associated with sports. However, the differences in cognitive functions of soccer and gymnasts have not been evaluated so far. There is still a scarcity of scientific research concerning children in late childhood. This research aimed to test the cognition of those groups including memory, attention and attentional control, executive functions in the preadolescence phase. Methods: We enrolled 176 participants (88 boys and 88 girls aged 10-12 years). Participants were selected based on age and engagement in specific types of exercises: Group 1, gymnasts (n = 59) involved in closed -skill exercises, Group 2, soccer players (n = 59) engaged in open -skill exercises, and a comparison group (n = 58) comprising children not regularly participating in such sports. Results: Children practicing soccer demonstrated better cognitive functions, particularly in areas related to attention and cognitive flexibility. In contrast gymnasts displayed lower selective attention and had better verbal working memory. Both athlete groups demonstrated higher performance in the phonological loop and immediate free recall of visual material compared to the control group. No changes in cognitive inhibition, reasoning, verbal fluency, planning, Theta/ Beta Ratio, or Theta/SMR ratio were observed in either group. Conclusions: The study provides valuable insights into the particular cognitive domains impacted by various types of physical activities among children, highlighting the potential implications for educational and sports interventions and emphasizing the cognitive advantages linked with participation in sports during childhood.