Move More, Think Better: The Cognitive Benefits of Sports

 Antonino Sciortino, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed a major in Psychology

My capstone research examined how physical activity, especially participation in sports, affects cognitive function across the lifespan. I focused on whether sports provide additional cognitive benefits beyond general physical activity, particularly in areas like attention, memory, and decision-making. Overall, the research suggests that staying physically active is linked to better cognitive performance, and that team sports may offer even greater benefits because they require communication, coordination, and quick thinking.

I became interested in this topic after noticing during cognitive psychology lab experiments that I consistently had some of the fastest reaction times in the class. This made me wonder if my background in sports played a role in how my brain processes information. Initially, I expected the capstone process to be somewhat boring, but I found it genuinely interesting as I discovered how strongly physical activity can influence cognition. It made the research feel more personal, since I could connect the findings directly to my own experiences.

The most challenging part has been the poster presentation, both because presenting to a large audience is difficult for me and because it is challenging to decide what information is most important to include within a limited space. There is a lot of research to draw from, and narrowing it down to the most meaningful points without losing important details has been difficult. Surprisingly, writing the paper itself felt more manageable than expected, largely due to the guidance and support from my mentor, which helped me stay organized and confident throughout the process.

If I were to expand this research, I would explore differences between specific types of team sports to see if certain sports lead to greater cognitive benefits than others. I would also be interested in examining long-term cognitive outcomes by following individuals over time to better understand how consistent participation in physical activity impacts brain health as people age. Additionally, looking at different age groups or levels of competition could provide a more detailed understanding of how and when these benefits are most significant.