Document Type : Original research
Authors
1
Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2
Full Professor, Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
3
Associate Professor of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, and Head of the "Brain and Movement" Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
10.22089/spsyj.2025.18470.2603
Abstract
Optimal athletic performance emerges from a dynamic interplay between physical prowess, higher-order cognitive control, and emotional regulation. A crucial distinction within cognitive control is between 'cold' and 'hot' executive functions (EF). Cold EF—mediated primarily by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)—governs logical processing in emotionally neutral contexts (e.g., working memory, cognitive flexibility). In contrast, hot EF—rooted in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and amygdala—operates in motivationally and emotionally salient situations, involving reward-based decision-making, emotional regulation, and risk assessment. Competitive sports, especially combat disciplines like Wushu, inherently activate hot EF due to their unpredictable, high-stakes nature. Despite theoretical relevance, fewer than 10 empirical studies in the past five years have directly examined hot EF in adolescent athletes, particularly within the open- vs. closed-skill framework under pressure. Therefore, this study investigates how a dominant hot EF profile influences the learning and performance of open and closed motor skills under psychological pressure in adolescent Wushu practitioners.
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