Attention comparison of soccer players and non-athletes

Abstract

Attentional and motor aspects show great relevance in sports activities. This study aimed to compare the attention of athletes and non-athletes, and check the effects of age on these differences. Participants were 554 males aged between 10-17 years. The instruments used were the Attention Test (a cancellation test) and the evaluation of specific motor skills for football. The results showed that a good performance of the athlete and a good sporting performance are related to a high level of attention to the game and to high motor skills. It is emphasized that individuals with good performance in cancellation tests tend to show better performance in motor skills.