Expertise and age-related changes in components of intelligence

In a sample of 263 male GO players at 48 levels of expertise and ranging fr om 18 to 78 years of age, it was found that factors of expertise deductive reasoning (EDR) and expertise working memory (EWN) were independent of fact ors of fluid reasoning (Gf) and short-term working memory (STWM) that. alon g with cognitive speed (Gs), have been found to characterize decline of int elligence in adulthood. The main effects of analyses of cross-sectional age differences indicated age-related decline in EDR and EWM as well as in Gf, STWM, and Gs. However, interaction and partialing analyses indicated that decline in EDR and EWM decreased to no decline with increase in level of ex pertise. The results thus suggest that with increase in factors known to ra ise the level of expertise-particularly. intensive, well-designed practice- there may be no age-related decline in the intelligence that is measured in the abilities of expertise.