A comparison study of executive functioning abilities in individuals who play contact sports

Abstract

Executive functioning (EF) impairments are common amongst contact sports players, particularly due to the risk of concussions. Past studies have investigated the EF abilities of athletes, with particular emphasis on comparisons between contact and non-contact sport players, and on comparisons between athletes who have history of frequent head impact in sport versus those who do not. Evidence on EF abilities of athletes remains an evolving topic in research world-wide, and there is also a lacuna in local studies. The present study investigated and compared EF abilities in a local sample of individuals who play sports, using a quantitative data collection method. This was carried out by examining group differences on tests of EF between a CONTACT group (n = 43) and a NONCONTACT group (n = 17). Further analysis was then carried out to examine group differences within the CONTACT group. The sample comprised of 60 adults over the age of 18 (females, n = 19; males, n = 41). Each participant completed five performance-based measures and one self-report measure of EF, along with a demographic questionnaire. Data was then analysed through independent samples t-tests. The results showed that, in comparison to contact sport players who did not have a history of head injury in sports, contact sport players who had a history of head injury in sports showed worse scores on a test of inhibitory control. Although not statistically significant, the findings also suggested that contact sport players self-reported more behavioural difficulties than the non-contact sport players. No other significant findings were revealed on the remaining tests of EF. Future studies are recommended to examine EF in sport in a larger sample of local athletes. The study findings also highlight the importance of neuropsychological testing for individuals who have sustained a head injury in sport.