Association between Go Experience and Sustained Attention in Young Adults

Daniela Trinks，Maria Teresa Martinez Garcia /June 20, 2026

Abstract
Due to increasing digital distractions, maintaining attention has become essential for effective learning and work performance. This cross-sectional study examined whether experience with the strategic board game Go is associated with enhanced attentional control in young adults.Ninety-nine university students (49 with substantial Go experience and 50 with minimal experience) completed the Sustained Attention to Response Task and a background questionnaire. Participants with extensive Go experience demonstrated higher overall accuracy than those with minimal experience and performed better on response trials than on withhold trials. Accuracy further increased with both Go proficiency and years of exposure. These results suggest an association between Go experience and sustained attention and inhibitory control in young adults, with implications for educational contexts.

Keywords: Go game, attentional control, sustained attention, inhibitory control, executive function, cognitive enhancement