The other selected research studies have the advantage of focusing specifically on football, which is naturally the most relevant context. This meta-analysis broadens the perspective by examining the relationship between executive functions and performance across multiple sports. While the conclusions are therefore less football-specific, the meta-analysis still demonstrates that a large number of independent studies identify a connection between executive functions and athletic performance.
Research paper
The Relationship Between Cognitive Functions and Sport-Specific Motor Skills in Elite Youth Soccer Players
A meta-analysis (a combined analysis of numerous research studies) demonstrating the well-established relationship between executive functions and performance in sports.
Read the full meta-analysis here.