Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the executive function (EF) between soccer trained (ST) and untrained (UT) 6-11 year old children. In addition, the relationship between EF and aerobic fitness was evaluated. In all, 18 ST children and 12 UT children participated in this study. EF was evaluated using the ADAM4 battery. Pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO₂) was measured during constant treadmill walking (6 km/h, 4% grade, 6 min) and during an increasing walking exercise (modified Balke test). The ST children demonstrated better visual tracking and attention (95.97 ± 1.74%/94.4 ± 1.59%), response inhibition (96.49 ± 1.35%/93.72 ± 3.16%), speed of processing and alternating attention with a motor speed component (97.18 ± 3.0%/93.72 ± 2.16%) compared to the UT children (p<0.05). The time constant of VO₂ kinetics during the constant walking exercise was shorter and the maximal VO2 was higher in the ST children (16.88 ± 2.19 s; 57.2 ± 6.0 ml/kg/min) compared to the UT children (20.99 ± 1.46 s; 48.1 ± 7.4 ml/kg/min) (p<0,05). There was a significant negative correlation between the cognitive tests and time constant of the VO₂ kinetics. We concluded that the ST 6-11 year old children demonstrated and better as well as higher aerobic fitness EF compared with their UT peers. There was no correlation between aerobic fitness and EF indicators in any group of subjects.

Keywords: Oxygen uptake; Children; Executive function; Physical activity