Gross-Motor Coordination and Executive Functions Development in Soccer and Artistic Gymnastics Preadolescent Female Athletes

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.