Assessment of psychophysiological characteristics in water skiing athletes using the Bos-Test Software and hardware system

Abstract

Purpose: Modern sports require ongoing research into the psychophysiological characteristics of athletes across various disciplines, including water skiing. Analyzing these results helps develop a clearer understanding of athletes' psychophysiological profiles. Object. This study evaluates indicators of simple visual–motor reaction, complex visual–motor reaction, reaction to a moving object, and performance on the tapping test. Participants and Research Methods. The study involved 9 athletes aged 7–9 years who practiced water skiing in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Written informed consent was obtained from all athletes' parents. The research was performed at the Dnipro Children's and Youth Sports School of Water Skiing and Wakeboarding. Testing to determine psychophysiological characteristics was conducted at the scientific laboratory of the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technology, Scientific and Educational Institute Pridneprovsk State Academy of Physical Culture and Sports. During the study, methods of theoretical analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical testing, pedagogical analysis, and testing of psychophysiological indicators using the software and hardware complex «Bos-test» were used. Results. The research showed that athletes exhibited high mobility of nervous processes, a high level of nervous processes, and a high level of interdependence between the average reaction time and the total number of errors. It was also determined that the indicators of the latent period of the left hemisphere's reaction are more stable compared to the right. In athletes, the processes of inhibition of the nervous system prevail, and the performance of the nervous system is determined at an average level. Conclusions. The planning and construction of the training process in complex coordination sports require an understanding of the psychophysiological characteristics of athletes. These characteristics can serve as individual criteria for predisposition to a specific type of sport. Due to the rapidly changing situations during the training and competitive process in water skiing, athletes are required to respond quickly and make decisions. These indicators play a very important role in the individual planning of the training process for young athletes. The conducted research allowed for the assessment of the psychophysiological characteristics of athletes engaged in water skiing. The obtained results allow for a focus on improving individual indicators based on the results of psychophysiological testing.