A recent meta-analysis conducted by the Active Mind group at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, has found that athletes consistently outperform non-athletes in working memory tasks. This study, published on November 21, 2024, highlights the cognitive benefits of sports participation and the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle on memory performance.
The research team, led by associate professor Piia Astikainen, analyzed 21 studies involving 1,455 participants to compare the working memory performance of athletes and non-athletes. The results showed a statistically significant advantage for athletes, particularly when compared to sedentary individuals, with effect sizes indicating a moderate benefit.
Doctoral researcher Chenxiao Wu emphasized that the majority of studies reviewed were well-conducted, with low bias risk, reinforcing the findings that physical activity is linked to better cognitive function.
The study is part of the SportsFace project, which aims to explore the effects of sports on cognitive function and social cognition. The findings contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting the importance of physical activity in promoting brain health and mitigating cognitive decline associated with aging.