Association between inhibitory control and tactical performance of under-15 soccer players

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association between inhibitory control and tactical performance of under-15 soccer players. Data from 166 under-15 soccer players were analyzed. The tactical performance and the inhibitory control were assessed by the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT) and by Conners Continuous Performance Test 2nd version (CPT-II), respectively. The scores of the tactical performance achieved by players in FUT-SAT were separated into three levels: low, intermediate and high. Values of Number of Commission Errors, Number of Omission Errors and Hit Reaction Time of CPT-II achieved by the players from low and high groups in tactical performance were compared by the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. Results revealed that players with high scores in tactical performance presented lower values of Hit Reaction Time (Z = - 2.569; p = 0.010; r = -0.35). These results suggest that players with better tactical
performance presented a better ability to respond faster in an inhibitory control task.