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New Insights into Motor/Cognitive Skills and Sports Performance in Youth...
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New Insights into Motor/Cognitive Skills and Sports Performance in Youth Athletes

A special issue of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (ISSN 2411-5142). This special issue belongs to the section "Athletic Training and Human Performance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 1460

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Davide Curzi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Humanities, Movement and Education Sciences, University "Niccolò Cusano", Rome, Italy
Interests: skeletal muscle adaptation; training strategies; stress–recovery balance; executive functions; sports performance; athlete development

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of both motor and cognitive skills during childhood and preadolescence is crucial for optimizing the physical performance and overall well-being of youth athletes. In these phases of life, several factors, such as biological maturation, training volume and intensity, sport specialization and other psychological or pedagogical aspects, could influence the development of both motor and cognitive skills. This Special Issue aims to explore recent scientific evidence in the study of motor and cognitive skill development in youth athletes across various sport disciplines, attempting to understand their role in enhancing sports performance and promoting long-term athletic growth in this population. We invite research that investigates the cognitive and/or motor processes involved in sports performance of youth athletes, including but not limited to motor learning, motor coordination, cognitive-motor training, executive functions, decision-making and attentional control. Additionally, we welcome research exploring the interaction between these skills and how they can be enhanced through targeted training interventions. Authors are invited to submit original research, longitudinal studies, review papers and applied field-based investigations to offer new insights into how youth athletes could develop motor and cognitive skills to enhance their sports performance.

Dr. Davide Curzi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • motor skills
  • cognitive skills
  • youth athletes
  • sports performance
  • training load
  • cognitive-motor training
  • talent
  • motor learning
  • cognitive functions
  • development

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 456 KiB  
Article
Positional Differences in Youth Water Polo Players: Cognitive Functions, Specific Swimming Capacities and Anthropometric Characteristics
by Neven Kovačević, Frane Mihanović, Linda Lušić Kalcina, Tatjana Matijaš and Tea Galić
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(2), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10020151 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 36
Abstract
Objectives: Water polo players ought to possess various physical capacities and well-developed cognitive functions that reflect the requirements of their specific playing position. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the cognitive performance, anthropometric characteristics and specific swimming capacities of youth [...] Read more.
Objectives: Water polo players ought to possess various physical capacities and well-developed cognitive functions that reflect the requirements of their specific playing position. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the cognitive performance, anthropometric characteristics and specific swimming capacities of youth water polo players in different playing positions. Methods: The present cross-sectional study involved 106 youth water polo players. The subjects were recruited as part of a project for talent identification and selection for the Croatian National Water Polo Team. Testing included anthropometric measurements, specific swimming capacities and cognitive performance (Stroop test). Results: Among the 106 youth water polo players, there were 15 goalkeepers (14.2%), 21 center-defenders (19.8%), 17 center-forwards (16.0%), 34 drivers (32.1%) and 19 wings (17.9%), with the mean age of 14.14 ± 0.38 years. The wings performed faster than center-forwards in both StroopOff time (wings: 57.14 ± 10.04 s vs. center-forwards: 67.03 ± 9.72 s, p = 0.016) and StroopOn time (wings: 66.18 ± 15.86 s vs. center-forwards: 80.24 ± 15.64 s, p = 0.019). Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrated significant differences between different playing positions in youth water polo players, specifically between center-forwards and wings. They performed faster than center-forwards in all tested variables of the Stroop test, measures of psychomotor ability, response inhibition and motor speed, as well as in specific swimming capacities measured in the 50 m crawl and the 400 m crawl. The results of this study provide a valuable foundation for establishing developmental recommendations for different playing positions, aimed at improving player’s performance. These recommendations should take into account anthropometric characteristics, specific functional swimming capacities and cognitive functions that influence players’ game intelligence, which can be enhanced through properly designed training programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Motor/Cognitive Skills and Sports Performance in Youth Athletes)
13 pages, 641 KiB  
Article
Sensory Modality in Students Enrolled in a Specialized Training Program for Security Forces and Its Impact on Karate Performance Indicators
by Ivan Uher, Ján Pivovarník and Mária Majherová
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(2), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10020114 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 190
Abstract
Objectives: The present study examined the sensory preferences adopted by students over three years of training in a specialized training program for security forces (STPSF). It determines their impact on karate performance metrics. Methods: Thirty-one students aged 20 to 26 (SD = 0.81) [...] Read more.
Objectives: The present study examined the sensory preferences adopted by students over three years of training in a specialized training program for security forces (STPSF). It determines their impact on karate performance metrics. Methods: Thirty-one students aged 20 to 26 (SD = 0.81) completed the modified Visual, Aural, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic questionnaire (VARK), a tool designed to help identify students’ preferred learning styles. This research suggests a theoretical model in which the balanced and optimal engagement of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities rather than a strict mathematical equation might provide an optimal foundation for improving proficiency in martial arts. Balanced engagement of these sensory modalities can foster a deeper understanding of karate techniques, improve performance, minimize dependence on a single sensory channel, and bolster real-time adaptability. The students were tested at two points: once at the beginning of their enrolment and again after completing their three-year training program. Results: After a relatively intensive intervention over three years, the findings suggest a positive shift in the ratio of the primary modalities, moving toward an optimal balance. Considering the ideal sensory balance of 50:50:50%, the visual modality increased from 45.8 to 50.4, approaching the optimal value. The auditory modality, initially above the ideal level at 53.8, adjusted closer to balance, reaching 51.9. In contrast, the kinesthetic modality slightly decreased from 50 to 47.5, indicating a minor deviation from the ideal state. It was further confirmed that a higher technical level, such as the third kyu, exhibits an equal distribution, approaching the optimal use of the three modalities: visual 51.5 auditory 47.6 and kinesthetic 50.7. Moreover, the progress toward an optimal synergy and a more efficient evaluation of situational possibilities within the decision-making process was more frequently noted in females than in male students. Conclusions: Acknowledging students’ sensory processing preferences can assist the teacher, trainer, coach, and student in advancing interaction, optimizing learning strategies, improving performance, promoting analytical skills, and fostering self-assurance and determination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Motor/Cognitive Skills and Sports Performance in Youth Athletes)
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18 pages, 1365 KiB  
Article
Gross-Motor Coordination and Executive Functions Development in Soccer and Artistic Gymnastics Preadolescent Female Athletes
by Fioretta Silvestri, Matteo Campanella, Lorenzo Marcelli, Dafne Ferrari, Maria Chiara Gallotta, Faten Hamdi, Maicon Rodrigues Albuquerque, Maurizio Bertollo and Davide Curzi
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(1), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10010085 - 1 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1059
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The characteristics of open- and closed-skill sports can have a significant impact on the development of both motor and cognitive functions during late childhood and early adolescence. This study examined the impact of artistic gymnastics and soccer practice on physical/coordinative skills [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The characteristics of open- and closed-skill sports can have a significant impact on the development of both motor and cognitive functions during late childhood and early adolescence. This study examined the impact of artistic gymnastics and soccer practice on physical/coordinative skills and executive functions in preadolescent female athletes. Methods: Gross-motor coordination (Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder battery), explosive lower limb power (countermovement jump) and executive functions (Flanker/Reverse Flanker; Digit Span) of ninety-eight soccer and gymnastics athletes (10.9 ± 0.6 years of age) were tested at the beginning and the end of a sports season. A t-test and a mixed linear method were used to detect differences between sports and expertise levels (amateur vs. elite) at baseline and over time, respectively. Results: Gymnasts scored higher in physical tests compared to soccer athletes, who obtained better scores in the Digit Span test. Elite gymnasts showed higher physical skills compared to both amateur gymnasts and elite soccer players, with executive function levels comparable to those of amateur gymnasts. Similarly, elite soccer players showed higher reaction time in executive functions tests compared to both elite gymnasts and amateur soccer athletes, with similar physical skills as amateur soccer players. Amateur gymnastics and soccer athletes showed similar levels of physical and cognitive skills. All groups improved their physical and executive function skills over time, with relevant effects of expertise level on physical tasks. Conclusions: Results revealed the impact of sport type and athletes’ level of expertise in influencing both their motor and cognitive development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Motor/Cognitive Skills and Sports Performance in Youth Athletes)
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