Evaluation of the age and gender differences in the updating component of executive functions in adults

Executive functions are defined as mechanisms that regulate cognitive processes of human. One key component of executive function is updating, which refers to the process of monitoring and revising working memory by replacing outdated or irrelevant information with new, task-relevant content.

The present study was designed to investigate age and gender differences in the updating component of executive functions.

This applied research employed a descriptive-survey design and was conducted at the individual level. The statistical population included residents of Kerman Province aged 16 to 59 years in 2022. A total of 479 participants (51% female) were selected using a quota sampling method and categorized into ten age groups. The research instrument consisted of a computerized version of the updating component from core executive function tasks. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

The results of the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) examining age group differences in the updating component revealed statistically significant differences in scores across the ten age groups for all three tasks (p < 0.0001). In contrast, the analysis of gender differences indicated no statistically significant difference in performance between male and female.

Performance in the updating component of executive functions increases during adolescence, peaking in individuals aged 20 to 24 years, followed by a gradual decline extending through middle adulthood. To improve the precision and generalizability of these findings, future research is recommended to incorporate longitudinal study designs.