The key finding
A 2024 systematic review analyzing 30 studies found that open-skill sportsâactivities requiring constant adaptation to unpredictable environments, like tennis, basketball, or soccerâare linked to greater improvements in specific executive functions compared to closed-skill sports such as swimming, running, or cycling. Across children, adolescents, and adults, open-skill sports were associated with faster response times in tasks measuring inhibitory control (the ability to suppress impulses) and cognitive flexibility (switching between mental tasks). Among adults specifically, open-skill sports also correlated with better accuracy on working memory tasks. The review examined research published between January 2000 and December 2023 across four major academic databases.
What the study looked like
This was a systematic review, meaning researchers comprehensively searched existing literature rather than conducting a new experiment. They scanned four databasesâEBSCO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Directâfor studies published over 23 years. After applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, they identified 30 relevant studies comparing participants in open-skill versus closed-skill sports. Open-skill sports involve dynamic, unpredictable scenarios where athletes must constantly adjust their actions based on opponents or environmental changes. Closed-skill sports involve repetitive, predictable movements in stable environments. The studies measured executive functionsâa set of cognitive processes including inhibitory control (stopping automatic responses), cognitive flexibility (adapting thinking), and working memory (holding and manipulating information). Participants ranged from children and adolescents to adults and elderly individuals, allowing researchers to examine age-specific patterns.
Why researchers think this happened
The review authors suggest that open-skill sports demand continuous decision-making, anticipation, and strategic adjustment in response to rapidly changing situations. When a basketball player defends against an opponent, they must inhibit automatic movements, flexibly switch strategies, and remember opponentsâ patternsâall simultaneously. This constant cognitive challenge may train executive function networks more intensively than the predictable, routine movements of closed-skill activities. Eight studies showed benefits for adults across all three executive function components, while six studies found improvements in inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility among children and adolescents. Four studies demonstrated enhanced inhibitory control in elderly participants. The cognitive engagement required to track opponents, anticipate actions, and adjust plans in real-time appears to create a richer training environment for the brainâs control systems than simply executing well-practiced, unchanging movement sequences.
How to read this carefully
As a systematic review, this analysis synthesizes existing research but doesnât conduct original experiments, meaning its conclusions depend on the quality and diversity of included studies. The 30 studies likely varied in methodology, participant characteristics, sport duration, and intensity, making direct comparisons challenging. Importantly, this research shows associations, not causationâwe cannot definitively say that open-skill sports cause better executive function, as people with naturally stronger cognitive control might self-select into more complex sports. Sample sizes, demographic diversity, and how executive functions were measured differed across studies. Additionally, the review doesnât clarify optimal training duration or whether combining sport types might offer unique benefits. The findings represent general patterns, not guaranteed individual outcomes.
What this means for everyday life
If youâre choosing physical activities for yourself or your children with cognitive benefits in mind, this review suggests that sports involving unpredictability and strategic thinking may offer advantages beyond cardiovascular fitness. Activities requiring you to read opponents, make split-second decisions, or constantly adaptâwhether recreational tennis, pickup basketball, or martial artsâmight provide richer cognitive training than solo, repetitive exercises. For parents, encouraging children toward team sports or activities with reactive elements could support developing self-control and mental flexibility alongside physical skills. For older adults concerned about cognitive maintenance, sports with social and strategic components might be worth considering. That said, the best exercise remains the one youâll actually do consistentlyâclosed-skill activities still offer tremendous physical and mental health benefits, and enjoying your chosen activity matters more than optimizing every cognitive variable.