DOES COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE AFFECT PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN ADOLESCENT BASKETBALL PLAYERS?

S.B. Kodak¹, N. Uluğ², G. Yilmaz Yelvar³, M.I. Kodak⁴

¹Kirşehir Youth and Sport Directorate, Kirşehir, Turkey, ²Atılım University, Physioyherapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey, ³İstinye University, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, İstanbul, Turkey, ⁴Kirşehir University, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Kirşehir, Turkey

Background: The literature has shown the benefit of exercise training in improving cognitive function. Evidences have not only illustrated that cognitive functions are planned personally but also can be improved through different sports simultaneously, such as competitive sports. In this context, basketball is a competitive sport that includes advanced strength, balance, flexibility, coordination and speed skills as well as cognitive performance. It is not known exactly how the sport-specific physical parameters of basketball affect the cognitive performance of the individual.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sport-specific physical fitness parameters and cognitive performance levels in elite adolescent basketball players.

Methods: Forty-nine male elite basketball players aged 14-18 years were included in the study voluntarily. Vertical jump, agility, reactive agility, 20 m sprint and Y-shaped balance tests were applied to all cases as physical performance tests. Right/left discrimination (Recognize application), two-point discrimination, Stroop Test were applied as cognitive performance tests and thereafter, the level of pain threshold was evaluated. In the reactive agility test, reactive response rate was evaluated by using visual stimuli, camera and photocell doors.

Results: A significant correlation was found between right/left discrimination and running speed, lower extremity muscle strength, agility, reactive agility, and both lower and upper extremity balance (p<0.05). A significant correlation was found between Stroop test and lower extremity muscle strength (p<0.05).

Conclusions: There was a significant relationship between physical performance and cognitive performance parameters in elite adolescent basketball players. It is thought that planning training programs with cognitive-motor dual task content, in which cognitive functions such as perception, attention, concentration, reasoning, creative thinking, memory and decision-making are combined with physical training, can improve the performance of basketball players.

Implications: It is thought that integrating cognitive functions into training programs in athletes will contribute to the motor learning and neuroplasticity process. We think that deep cognitive function may have an effect on basketball training and this may affect success in sports performance and training.

Funding acknowledgements: No funding was received for the research.

Keywords:
Cognitive performance
Basketball
Physical performance

Topics:
Sport & sports injuries
Sport & sports injuries
Sport & sports injuries

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Atılım University

Committee: Atılım University Human Research Ethic Board

Ethics number: E-59394181-604.01.02-32301