Gross-Motor Coordination and Executive Functions Development in Soccer and Artistic Gymnastics Preadolescent Female Athletes

Background/Objectives: The characteristics of open- and closed-skill sports
can have a significant impact on the development of both motor and cognitive functions
during late childhood and early adolescence. This study examined the impact of artistic
gymnastics and soccer practice on physical/coordinative skills and executive functions in
preadolescent female athletes. Methods: Gross-motor coordination (Körperkoordinations
Test für Kinder battery), explosive lower limb power (countermovement jump) and
executive functions (Flanker/Reverse Flanker; Digit Span) of ninety-eight soccer and
gymnastics athletes (10.9 ± 0.6 years of age) were tested at the beginning and the end of a
sports season. A t-test and a mixed linear method were used to detect differences between
sports and expertise levels (amateur vs. elite) at baseline and over time, respectively.
Results: Gymnasts scored higher in physical tests compared to soccer athletes,
who obtained better scores in the Digit Span test. Elite gymnasts showed higher physical
skills compared to both amateur gymnasts and elite soccer players, with executive function
levels comparable to those of amateur gymnasts. Similarly, elite soccer players
showed higher reaction time in executive functions tests compared to both elite gymnasts
and amateur soccer athletes, with similar physical skills as amateur soccer players. Amateur
gymnastics and soccer athletes showed similar levels of physical and cognitive
skills. All groups improved their physical and executive function skills over time, with
relevant effects of expertise level on physical tasks. Conclusions: Results revealed the
impact of sport type and athletes’ level of expertise in influencing both their motor and
cognitive development.