A - 30 Executive Function in Division-I Collegiate Athletes and Recreationally Active College Students

Abstract

Objective High-level cognitive performance is important for navigating the complex environment of sport. The executive function domain may be of particular importance because it focuses on flexible thinking and self-control. It is unclear if high-level athletes exhibit similar executive function compared to recreational athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare executive function between male and female Division-I collegiate athletes and recreationally active peers. Methods Thirty-seven Division-I athletes (16 females, 21 males) and 30 recreationally active college students (19 females, 11 males) participated. Participants completed the Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (FICA) and Dimensional Change Card Sort Test (DCCS) from the National Institute of Health Toolbox Cognitive Battery on a tablet to assess cognitive flexibility and attention and inhibitory control, respectively. Demographically-corrected T-scores were used for analysis. Two-way ANOVAs compared cognitive performance based on group and sex (p ≤ 0.05). Results There was a significant group-by-sex interaction for the FICA (p = 0.005). Female recreational athletes (50.68 ± 10.18) demonstrated higher FICA scores compared to female Division-I athletes (40.88 ± 7.35; p = 0.003, ES = 1.06). Male Division-I athletes (48.67 ± 10.39) also exhibited greater scores compared to female Division-I athletes (p = 0.015, ES = 0.83). There was no significant group-by-sex interaction (p = 0.84), group effect (p = 0.35), or sex effect (p = 0.43) for the DCCS. Conclusions Female Division-I athletes demonstrated poorer performance on the FICA compared to male Division-I athletes and recreational female athletes which may indicate a decreased ability to suppress motor responses caused by internal or external distractions. The significance of these findings for mitigating injury risk and improving athletic performance should be explored.