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EFFECT OF IN SEASON STRESS ON COGNITIVE ABILITIES IN DIVISION III WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS

Abstract

Quantifying soccer players' physical load and cognitive abilities is crucial for monitoring stress. PURPOSE: To examine how in-season physical and psychological demands affect collegiate soccer players' cognitive abilities. METHODS: NCAA Division III female soccer players (n=22; 20.3 years + 1.5, 163.7 cm + 5.8, 64.1 kg + 8.2) were divided by position: Goalkeepers (GK), Forwards (F), Defenders (D), Midfielders (MF), and Wingers (W). Each completed cognitive testing at three time points: beginning (P1), midpoint (P2), and end of season (P3) using a sensorimotor station to assess visual clarity, peripheral vision, near-far shift, multiple object tracking, decision-making, and reaction time. Athletes performed weekly countermovement jumps (CMJ) on a force plate to measure jump height (JH), reactive strength index-modified (mRSI), and braking rate of force development (BRFD). GPS units tracked daily practice and game data, including hard running distance (HRD), 3D load, and total distance (TD). Data were analyzed by position and season period via ANOVA, with significance being set at p = 0.10. RESULTS: GK had better near-far quickness than MF (p=0.01) and W (p=0.06) and better reaction time than F (p=0.08). Defenders outperformed MF in near-far quickness (p=0.07). Across time points, P3 showed better near-far shift than P1 (p=0.002) and P2 (p=0.05). Reaction time improved in P3 vs. P1 (p=0.08). No significant differences were found in CMJ performance across positions or time points. GPS data showed D covered more TD than MF (p=0.02), and W had greater HRD than MF (p=0.04) in P1. CONCLUSION: Cognitive abilities varied by position and season period, while physical loads differed across positions. CMJ performance remained consistent. Incorporating cognitive training may enhance performance. Further research should explore training strategies to improve cognition and examine correlations between physical load and cognitive function.

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