Does cognitive flexibility enhance decision-making in sports?
Background: Decision-making is a multifaceted process crucial in both individual and organizational settings, particularly in high-pressure environments like sports. Cognitive flexibility plays a vital role in enhancing athletes’ decision-making abilities. This study examines the relationship bet...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MRE Press
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Men's Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://oss.jomh.org/files/article/20250530-545/pdf/JOMH2024102801.pdf |
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| author | Burhan Başoğlu Erdil Keyf Mustafa Vural Mehmet Gül Abdullah Doğan Fatih Karakaş Gökhan Arıkan Furkan Çamiçi |
| author_facet | Burhan Başoğlu Erdil Keyf Mustafa Vural Mehmet Gül Abdullah Doğan Fatih Karakaş Gökhan Arıkan Furkan Çamiçi |
| author_sort | Burhan Başoğlu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Decision-making is a multifaceted process crucial
in both individual and organizational settings, particularly in high-pressure
environments like sports. Cognitive flexibility plays a vital role in enhancing
athletes’ decision-making abilities. This study examines the relationship between
cognitive flexibility and decision-making processes among athletes, focusing on
the sub-dimensions of “Alternatives” and “Control”. Methods: A quantitative research design utilizing a relational survey model was employed.
Data were collected from 743 male athletes across various sports disciplines in
Türkiye. The Sports Effective Decision-Making Scale and the Cognitive
Flexibility Inventory were used as measurement tools. Confirmatory factor
analysis confirmed their validity and reliability in the sports context.
Regression analysis was conducted to examine the predictive relationships between
cognitive flexibility sub-dimensions and decision-making effectiveness.
Results: Regression analysis revealed significant findings. The
“Alternatives” dimension positively predicted effective decision-making in
sports, particularly in external decision-making scenarios (β = 0.207,
t = 5.427, p < 0.001). In contrast, “Control” was a
stronger determinant of intrinsic decision-making (β = 0.210, t
= 5.607, p < 0.001). The R2 values indicated that
cognitive flexibility factors explained 18.1% of the variance in effective
decision-making and 10.9% in intrinsic decision-making, highlighting the need to
explore additional contributing factors. Conclusions: These
findings provide practical implications for coaches and sports psychologists.
Coaches can enhance athletes’ decision-making abilities by fostering a sense of
control and offering diverse alternatives in training and competition. Sports
psychologists may develop interventions to strengthen cognitive flexibility and
perceived control among athletes. The study emphasizes the necessity of a broader
framework for understanding decision-making, suggesting that future research
should explore the interplay of emotional, social and cultural factors in
athletic decision-making. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-be7bec85c9da4d2884a32df7aff153fc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1875-6867 1875-6859 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MRE Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Men's Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-be7bec85c9da4d2884a32df7aff153fc2025-08-20T02:08:50ZengMRE PressJournal of Men's Health1875-68671875-68592025-05-01215394510.22514/jomh.2025.066S1875-6867(25)00383-5Does cognitive flexibility enhance decision-making in sports?Burhan Başoğlu0Erdil Keyf1Mustafa Vural2Mehmet Gül3Abdullah Doğan4Fatih Karakaş5Gökhan Arıkan6Furkan Çamiçi7Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Nevşehir Haci Bektaş Veli University, 50300 Nevşehir, TürkiyeFaculty of Sport Sciences, Mersin University, 33110 Mersin, TürkiyeDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University, 04100 Ağrı, TürkiyeDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas, TürkiyeMinistry of Youth and Sports, 06000 Ankara, TürkiyeDepartment of Physical Education and Sports, Yaşar Doğu Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ondokuz Mayis University, 55280 Samsun, TürkiyeDepartment of Physical Education and Sports, School of Physical Education and Sports, Harran University, 63000 Şanlıurfa, TürkiyeCoaching Education Department, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hitit University, 19030 Çorum, TürkiyeBackground: Decision-making is a multifaceted process crucial in both individual and organizational settings, particularly in high-pressure environments like sports. Cognitive flexibility plays a vital role in enhancing athletes’ decision-making abilities. This study examines the relationship between cognitive flexibility and decision-making processes among athletes, focusing on the sub-dimensions of “Alternatives” and “Control”. Methods: A quantitative research design utilizing a relational survey model was employed. Data were collected from 743 male athletes across various sports disciplines in Türkiye. The Sports Effective Decision-Making Scale and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory were used as measurement tools. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed their validity and reliability in the sports context. Regression analysis was conducted to examine the predictive relationships between cognitive flexibility sub-dimensions and decision-making effectiveness. Results: Regression analysis revealed significant findings. The “Alternatives” dimension positively predicted effective decision-making in sports, particularly in external decision-making scenarios (β = 0.207, t = 5.427, p < 0.001). In contrast, “Control” was a stronger determinant of intrinsic decision-making (β = 0.210, t = 5.607, p < 0.001). The R2 values indicated that cognitive flexibility factors explained 18.1% of the variance in effective decision-making and 10.9% in intrinsic decision-making, highlighting the need to explore additional contributing factors. Conclusions: These findings provide practical implications for coaches and sports psychologists. Coaches can enhance athletes’ decision-making abilities by fostering a sense of control and offering diverse alternatives in training and competition. Sports psychologists may develop interventions to strengthen cognitive flexibility and perceived control among athletes. The study emphasizes the necessity of a broader framework for understanding decision-making, suggesting that future research should explore the interplay of emotional, social and cultural factors in athletic decision-making.https://oss.jomh.org/files/article/20250530-545/pdf/JOMH2024102801.pdforganisationcognitive flexibilitydecision-makingsports |
| spellingShingle | Burhan Başoğlu Erdil Keyf Mustafa Vural Mehmet Gül Abdullah Doğan Fatih Karakaş Gökhan Arıkan Furkan Çamiçi Does cognitive flexibility enhance decision-making in sports? Journal of Men's Health organisation cognitive flexibility decision-making sports |
| title | Does cognitive flexibility enhance decision-making in sports? |
| title_full | Does cognitive flexibility enhance decision-making in sports? |
| title_fullStr | Does cognitive flexibility enhance decision-making in sports? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Does cognitive flexibility enhance decision-making in sports? |
| title_short | Does cognitive flexibility enhance decision-making in sports? |
| title_sort | does cognitive flexibility enhance decision making in sports |
| topic | organisation cognitive flexibility decision-making sports |
| url | https://oss.jomh.org/files/article/20250530-545/pdf/JOMH2024102801.pdf |
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