PhD, Associate Professor I.E. Korelskaya¹
PhD, Associate Professor L.A. Sharenkova²
PhD, Associate Professor А.N. Zelyanina^1
1Northern (Arctic) Federal University n.a. M.V. Lomonosov, Arkhangelsk
²Northern State Medical University, Arkhangelsk

 

Keywords: micro-paroxysm, functionality tests, cross-country skiing, athletic training, junior athletes.

 

Introduction. The key aspect of athletic training is functional diagnostics, in particular, physical working capacity testing, evaluation of adaptation processes, assessment of the central nervous system (CNS) functionality and other functional indicators in junior athletes. Nowadays, competitive activity is associated with high physical and mental stresses and can lead to the appearance of micro-paroxysms (MPR) in the brain, which may provoke many subjective experiences [1].

The integrated control over the functional state of junior athletes should be followed by the application of the sports training technologies aimed to provide a qualitative evaluation of the functional status of the regulatory systems when affected by the phenological changes in the nature of the European North. The main risk of diseases and associated reduction of the functional reserves are due to the regulatory mechanism over-tension [1, 4].

The case study of the junior cross-country skiers – students of the children’s sport schools of the Arkhangelsk region, where winter is long enough and lasts 5-6 calendar months and skiing sport is part of the culture of Northerners, is quite relevant. The current study is not intended to expand the magnitude of the existing problem, but aims to characterize particular functional states of the central nervous system of the 13–15 year-old cross-country skiers.

Objective of the study was to characterize the micro-paroxysm occurrence rate in the 13-15 cross-country skiers trained in the Far North of Europe.

Methods and structure of the study. The two-year longitudinal study involved the 13–15 year-old male residents of the Arkhangelsk region (n=75). The subjects had different sport qualifications: from I Class Junior to I Senior Degree. The micro-paroxysm occurrence rate was determined by analyzing the level and stability of sensorimotor responses triggered by light impulses, determined by the simple visual motor reaction (SVMR) test rates obtained using the BioMouse technique [3].

Results and discussion. The MPR occurrence rate in the SVMR test ranged from 0 to 14% with the mean value being 3.14±0.41%. Having thoroughly analyzed the research findings, we found that, out of 75 respondents, 27.2% of athletes in the first test and 21.8% in the second one had no signs of MPR. Specific variations in the individual exposure to MPR were detected in 72.8% of athletes in the first test and 78.2% in the second one. Figure 1 illustrates the MPR occurrence statistics.

 

Fig. 1. MPR occurrence rate in 13-15 year-old athletes

 

The differentiated analysis of the MPR occurrence rate revealed the following: 5.7% of the surveyed respondents scored 14, 8 and 6 points, respectively; 34.3% - 2 points; 21.4% - 4 points. Of great interest was the result obtained in 27.2% of athletes not exposed to MPR - 0 points. The marginal conditions in the junior athletes indicated their high readiness for competitive activity or insufficient understanding of their responsibility for competitive results.

While re-examining the subjects, the MPR rate in the junior athletes changed significantly. The number of athletes not exposed to MPR and having scored 14 points, decreased to 21.8 and 1.4%, respectively. Such a variation indicated the 13-15 year-olds’ inability to concentrate and switch, distribute and sustain attention during the tests. It can be assumed that this is due to the athletes’ age specific changes and experience gap in their training and competitive activities. This provision requires further verification and the data obtained during the study need further interpretation.

The effects of micro-paroxysms on the athletes’ functional fitness were determined by analyzing the indicators as follows: functionality level of the system (FLS), response stability (RS), level of functional capacities (LFC).

The analysis of FLS revealed that its average values ​​corresponded to 4.50±0.05 c.u. and reflected an insignificant decrease in the athletes’ physical working capacity level. The RS rates equaled 1.77±0.073 c.u., thus reflecting an insignificant decrease in the athletes’ motor fitness level. Their LFC was equal to 4.38±0.84 c.u., which is deemed normal for the 13-15 year-old athletes [3]. This criterion is the most comprehensive and enables to evaluate the athletes’ functional system as a whole. Consequently, during the preparatory period, the physical loads performed by the junior cross-country skiers corresponded to their age and individual abilities.

The study of the correlation relationships between the structural-functional indicators of simple sensorimotor reactions revealed no significant relations with micro-paroxysms.

 

Fig. 2. Statistical correlations between sensorimotor response rates

 

Figure 2 illustrates the statistical correlations established during the experiment. An average correlation was detected between MPR and RS at p<0.05, and a strong one - between FLS, RS and LFC at p<0.05. There was a moderate correlation between FLS and MPR; RS and MPR. A weak correlation was detected between FLS and AP; AP and MPR; AP and LFC at p<0.05.

Conclusion. Based on the simple sensorimotor response rates determined during the study, the micro-paroxysm occurrence rate may be considered largely age-specific and, to a degree, associated with the high motivations for success in the cross-country skiing sport, as evidenced by undetected significant correlation relationships between micro-paroxysm and functional indicators. The study found the micro-paroxysm occurrence statistics in junior athletes on a differentiated basis. The possibility of evaluating the functional capacities of the central nervous system during the training and competitive process was demonstrated. We also proved the possibility of using the prognostic approach to assessing the micro-paroxysm occurrence rate in children and adolescents when monitoring and predicting the health-improving impact of sports activities.

 

References

1. Beskaravayny E.B. Kharakteristika adaptivnykh reaktsiy organizma voennosluzhaschikh otryada spetsialnogo naznacheniya, dislotsirovannogo v severnom regione, k vozdeystviyu psikhotravmiruyuschikh usloviy sluzhebno-boevoy deyatelnosti. Avtoref. dis. kand. med. nauk [Characteristics of bodily adaptive reactions of SOD servicemen located in the northern region to psychotraumatic conditions of combat service. PhD diss. abstract]. Arkhangelsk, 2015, 20 p.

2. Moroz M.P. Ekspress-diagnostika rabotosposobnosti i funktsionalnogo sostoyaniya cheloveka. Rekomendatsii po dopusku k rabote. Metod. rukovodstvo [Express diagnostics of working capacity and functional state in man. Recommendations for admission to work. Method. guide]. 2nd ed, rev., sup. St. Peterburg: IMATON publ., 2009, 48 p.

3. Fedotova V.G., Fedotova E.V. Teoreticheskie osnovy i prakticheskie aspekty kompleksnogo kontrolya v zimnikh vidakh sporta. Uchebno-metod. posobie [Integrated control in winter sports: theory and practice. Teaching aid]. MSAPC. Malakhovka, 2016, 435 p.

4. Baevskii R.M., Chernikova A.G. Assessment of adaptation risk in an individual prenosological monitoring system. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology. 2016, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 437-445.

 

Corresponding author: korela2010@yandex.ru

 

Abstract

The study considers the most topical and problematic issues of the junior cross-country skiers’ training process with a special focus on their exposure to micro-paroxysms triggered by high physical and mental stressors. Sampled for the study were the 13-15 cross-country skiers trained in the Far North of Europe. The sample’s exposure to micro-paroxysms was rated by the sensorimotor response level and stability tests, with the responses triggered by light impulses; and with the tests designed in a standard simple visual motor response rating format. The study data made it possible to identify the age- and personality-specific variations in the individual exposure to micro-paroxysms; and analyze the micro-paroxysm occurrence statistics on a differentiated basis. The marginal conditions were rated within the range of 0 to 14 points, with the scores on the 14-point scale being indicative of the high competitive fitness or reluctance to compete. The study failed to find significant correlations between the simple sensorimotor response rates and exposure to micro-paroxysms. Therefore, the exposure to micro-paroxysms may be considered largely age-specific and, to a degree, associated with the high motivations for success in the cross-country skiing sport.