A Dutch study published in PLOS ONE demonstrates the relationship between executive functions and football performance among youth players.
The researchers found that players with stronger executive functions — such as cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibitory control — consistently performed at a higher level on the pitch. The study adds to a growing body of international research suggesting that cognitive abilities play an important role in football development and decision-making under pressure.
For us at Mind Gains, it is always encouraging when independent researchers from different countries arrive at similar conclusions. Findings like these further strengthen the understanding that football performance is influenced not only by physical and technical qualities, but also by the cognitive processes that guide perception, decision-making, and behavior during the game.