Executive Function and Mood: The Moderating Role of Athletic Expertise

Abstract

Executive function (EF) is known to be influenced by mood, but whether this relationship holds for populations of athletes and whether athletic expertise moderates it is uncertain. Thus, in the current study, we examined relationships between positive and negative affect (i.e., mood), the lower-order cortical aspects of executive function (i.e., inhibition, shifting and updating), and athletic expertise. A sample of 256 participants (55.08% male; Mage = 20.69) completed a self-report mood measure and computerized tests of EF. Individuals with more athletic expertise reported higher positive affect and better EF scores, whereas those with less athletic expertise reported higher negative affect. Structural equation modelling indicated that positive affect was related to better inhibition, shifting, and updating performance but was not related to performance errors. Similarly, negative affect was related to better EF, except for the inhibition latency score. Athletic expertise moderated all significant associations between mood and EF and higher expertise facilitated higher EF performance. Together, athletic expertise is an important individual differences factor in understanding the influence of mood on EF performance.

The interaction between acute emotional states and executive functions in youth elite soccer players

“…Accordingly, an emotion’s functionality depends on the individual appraisal of the situation and the accompanying subjective evaluation, influenced by available resources for coping ( Lazarus, 2006 ). Concerning the core EFs, Vaughan and McConville (2021) reported a positive relationship between positive emotions and performance of EF in terms of higher accuracy and lower latencies. At the same time, they found a significant correlation between negative emotions, higher latency, and fewer errors.…”

“…Besides, emotions can be verbalized, which allows categorization in discrete emotions such as anger, joy or anxiety. In contrast, moods do not always have a triggering event and are longer-lasting, less intense than emotions, and less susceptible to regulatory processes ( Gross, 2008 ; Vaughan and McConville, 2021 , p. 675). Overall, these constructs are often used interchangeably ( Beedie et al, 2005 ; Tamminen and Bennett, 2017 ).…”

“…These resources can no longer be used for the actual task ( Sweller et al, 1998 ; Mitchell and Phillips, 2007 ). This is explained by affect-related but task-irrelevant thoughts, which burden the cognitive system and, thus, relevant processes such as attention ( Mitchell and Phillips, 2007 ; Vaughan and McConville, 2021 ). It is assumed that both positive and negative affect are indirectly proportional to EFs performance.…”

“…Evidence suggests EFs correlates with acute emotional states and that these states can influence the performance of EF. The direction of influence is still debated (e.g., Vaughan and McConville, 2021 ). Whereas the Cognitive Load Theory ( Sweller et al, 1998 ) assumes that cognitive performance declines regardless of the affect that occurs, the Mood-as-Information Theory ( Schwarz and Clore, 1983 ) predicts improved performance concerning negative emotions and a decrease in EF performance in positive states.…”

Examination of Executive Functions Affecting Sports Performance in the Context of Athlete Experience

“…Several studies have addressed the relationship between executive functions and athlete experience and its impact on sports performance (VANCINI et al, 2019;VAUGHAN-EDWARDS, 2020;VAUGHAN -McCONVILLE, 2021). High VF components are associated with better sports performance, depending on the individual athlete's talents and expertise (HAGYARD et al, 2021).…”