Nível socioeconômico, escolaridade e idade na avaliação das funções executivas em atletas de habilidades abertas e fechadas

Abstract

Sports can be classified based on environmental characteristics as open skill or closed skill sports, where open skill sports are characterized by being performed in unpredictable environments, where task circumstances are constantly changing, and closed skill sports occur in a predictable environment and, therefore, are not directly influenced by external factors such as opponents or the environment. Open skill sports have been associated with the development of cognitive abilities, an association also observed in the development of Executive Functions. Executive Functions are top-down mental processes consisting of three core components: Inhibitory Control, Working Memory, and Cognitive Flexibility, as well as higher-order Executive Functions like Planning and Fluid Intelligence (reasoning and problem-solving). The development of these components can be influenced by sports practice, as well as by socioeconomic, educational, and maturational factors. The aim of the current study was to compare the performance of athletes from open and closed skill sports in EF tasks, controlling for socioeconomic level, education, and age as covariates. Brazilian athletes from various sports were selected and categorized as open or closed skill athletes. The Vienna Matrix Test, Digit Span, Tower of London, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Flanker/Reverse Flanker Test were conducted. Additionally, socioeconomic status and education level were assessed. Mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum values were used for descriptive statistics. An analysis of covariance was performed to compare group performances while controlling for socioeconomic status, education, and age. In summary, the results indicated that there was no significant difference in Executive Function performance when comparing the groups with covariates controlled. Executive Functions are shaped by socioenvironmental influences, with socioeconomic status potentially exerting a significant impact on their development from birth. Age also plays a role, as Executive Functions mature and improve throughout development. Additionally, educational level can influence this development, especially in enriched educational environments. Therefore, considering these factors is of utmost importance when conducting studies comparing different sports disciplines, with the goal of minimizing potential disparities. This approach contributes to obtaining truly representative results of the intrinsic characteristics of sports practice, detached from external influences that may distort them.