Is there a relationship between executive functions and resilience in youth elite soccer players?

Abstract

Background: While the relationship between cognitive performance and sport performance in youth elite soccer players has proponents as well as opponents, many aspects of this relationship remain unclear. Therefore, this quasi-experimental study wants to contribute to this relationship including the psychological aspect of resilience when investigating youth elite soccer players during an assessment selection for a representative team. Methods: Questionnaires as well as computer-based tests were conducted. Results: Results of this study showed no relationship between resilience and executive function in youth elite soccer players. Furthermore, no differences in executive functions or in resilience were found between those players who are selected for a representative team and those who were not selected. Conclusion: The results indicate that further research needs to be conducted to clarify possible relationships in more detail.