Effect of cognitive training on working memory and mindful attention: A study on sportsmen

Abstract

Background: Cognition is a key component of an individual's life that becomes even more significant for sportsmen due to the nature of the activities they participate in. The current study studied the influence of cognitive training on the working memory capacity and mindful attention ability of sportsmen. Materials and Methods: A 3-week (21-day consecutive) self-designed cognitive training programme was administered to fourteen (N=14) male participants aged 21-23 years, who were randomly divided into two groups: experimental and control (N=7 each). The experimental group followed a 3-week cognitive training course of 15m/session, while the control group merely followed their daily routine. The study used a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test descriptive research design. Outcome Measures: Working memory capacity was measured using the Digit Span test and mindful attention was measured using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Paired t-test and ANCOVA statistical interventions were used, and the significance level was set at .05 levels. Results: The findings showed that the experiment group which underwent cognitive training for 3 weeks, showed a significant improvement (p