Relation between the cognitive style field dependence-independence and the practice of sports

Abstract

This research investigated the relation between field dependence-independence and the practice of closed-skill and open-skill sports. Open-skill sports are characterized by the interaction between opponents, and the closed-skills sports lack external interferences on the athlete’s performance. Field dependence-independence is a cognitive style dimension associated with the degree of body boundaries differentiation. The Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) measured field independence in 149 athletes, 84 athletes of open-skill sports and 65 athletes of closed-skill sports, 77 men and 72 women. Men of closed-skill sports showed more field independence than men of open-skill sports; this difference didn’t happen in the feminine group. Within open-skills athletes women revealed higher field independence than men. The results showed the interaction between sex and sport type for differences in field independence.