New research suggests that athletes' brains may differ from those of non-athletes in certain ways. A study found that elite athlete Olga Kotelko, who held over 30 world records, had surprisingly intact white matter in her brain at age 95, compared to less-active women three decades younger. This may be due to the cognitive benefits of athletic training, which could extend throughout life. Coaches are now focusing on training athletes' cognitive abilities, such as memory and decision-making skills, to enhance performance.

Source: https://www.livescience.com/health/neuroscience/ways-an-athlete-s-brain-differs-from-an-average-person-s