Effects of training and competition on performance in execution time and decision-making in technical-tactical actions in football (passing and driving) in laboratory situations

Introduction: the effects of training on decision-making have been evaluated in sport to demonstrate improvements in tactical performance. Objective: analyze the effects of a training macrocycle on decision-making and its delay time, using technical-tactical actions (passing and driving) in football carried out under laboratory situations. Methodology: quantitative quasi-experimental, longitudinal, intra-subject pre-test/post-test study. A group (n = 16) of young footballers were evaluated at two points (pre-test/post-test). Results: there were no statistically significant differences for the decision-making variable (DMA) (p > 0.05; d = 0.32; 1- = 0.22) but there were statistically significant differences for the execution time (ET) variables (p < 0.05; d = 1,522; 1- = 0.99) and total index (TI) (p < 0.05; d = 1.303; 1- = 0.99). Discussion: the results of this research regarding the decision-making variable differed from the results reported in other studies. Decision-making did not improve with the intervention; however, training and competition did decrease the time it takes to choose an option. Conclusions: in open motor skill sports it is not enough to make a good decision, it is also necessary to decide in the shortest possible time. For that reason, this test analyzes the variables decision making (DMA) and execution time (ET) through a total index (TI), which is directly proportional to the performance of the football players in the test. The test is sensitive to neuroplastic changes generated by a three-month macro-cycle of training.