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<p>The sex gap in spatial cognition, particularly in mental rotation (MR) represents a robust individual difference with significant implications for achievement in STEM fields. While some research suggests that sport expertise may reduce this gap, it remains unclear whether such attenuation is a general consequence of athletic expertise or if it depends on the specific visuospatial demands of the discipline. A sample of 180 young adults was categorized into three groups: Wrestlers (dynamic/3D expertise), Track and Field athletes (linear expertise), and Non-Athletes. Participants performed a chronometric MR task with angular disparities ranging from 0° to 150°. Data were analyzed using Bayesian linear and generalized mixed-effects models to account for inter-individual heterogeneity. Results revealed that the mitigation of the sex gap is strictly discipline-specific. In both the Non-Athlete and Track and Field groups, a credible sex difference was observed, with males outperforming females by 12.0% and 14.5% in reaction time, respectively. In contrast, this gap was rendered negligible (3.6% difference) in the Wrestler group. Furthermore, analysis of accuracy slopes indicated that non-expert males prioritized speed at the expense of precision as task difficulty increased, whereas Wrestlers exhibited a stabilized, high-accuracy performance profile across both sexes. These findings suggest that high-demand visuospatial training, such as wrestling, is associated with a powerful equalizing effect on spatial proficiency, highlighting the potential role of functional congruence in cognitive transfer.</p>

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Does sport expertise bridge the sex gap in mental rotation? Bayesian evidence for the critical role of visuospatial demands

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月6日

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  • Ahmed Ben Mehrez,
  • Hamdi Habacha,
  • Nizar Souissi

摘要

The sex gap in spatial cognition, particularly in mental rotation (MR) represents a robust individual difference with significant implications for achievement in STEM fields. While some research suggests that sport expertise may reduce this gap, it remains unclear whether such attenuation is a general consequence of athletic expertise or if it depends on the specific visuospatial demands of the discipline. A sample of 180 young adults was categorized into three groups: Wrestlers (dynamic/3D expertise), Track and Field athletes (linear expertise), and Non-Athletes. Participants performed a chronometric MR task with angular disparities ranging from 0° to 150°. Data were analyzed using Bayesian linear and generalized mixed-effects models to account for inter-individual heterogeneity. Results revealed that the mitigation of the sex gap is strictly discipline-specific. In both the Non-Athlete and Track and Field groups, a credible sex difference was observed, with males outperforming females by 12.0% and 14.5% in reaction time, respectively. In contrast, this gap was rendered negligible (3.6% difference) in the Wrestler group. Furthermore, analysis of accuracy slopes indicated that non-expert males prioritized speed at the expense of precision as task difficulty increased, whereas Wrestlers exhibited a stabilized, high-accuracy performance profile across both sexes. These findings suggest that high-demand visuospatial training, such as wrestling, is associated with a powerful equalizing effect on spatial proficiency, highlighting the potential role of functional congruence in cognitive transfer.