FEATURES OF THE STAGE DYNAMICS OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS IN FEMALE ATHLETES AGED 12–14 WITHIN THE SYSTEM OF INITIAL TRAINING IN POWERLIFTING

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to quantitatively determine the features of stage-related dynamics of psychophysiological indicators in female athletes aged 12–14 during the initial stage of powerlifting training within the system of Youth Sports Schools. The study involved 30 female athletes who systematically trained according to a unified initial specialization program; annual assessments were conducted at the ages of 12, 13, and 14 at the beginning of each training year, which made it possible to trace age- and training-related patterns within one stage of long-term preparation. For comprehensive evaluation, the following markers were applied: Schulte table indicators (work efficiency, degree of workability, mental stability), simple visual reaction time, reaction time to a moving object, level of self-assessed willpower, and the tapping test as an indicator of nervous process tempo. Measurements were carried out under standardized conditions in accordance with a unified protocol; statistical processing was performed using parametric methods with Student’s t-test (p < 0.05 – 0.01). The results demonstrated a consistent positive age-related and training-related dynamic in most indicators. Work efficiency increased from 33.7 ± 1.15 to 40.1 ± 1.50 arbitrary units (t1,3 = 3.39; p < 0.01), the degree of workability rose from 0.47 ± 0.05 to 0.70 ± 0.04 arbitrary units (t1,3 = 3.59; p < 0.01), while the mental stability index decreased from 1.11 ± 0.04 to 0.90 ± 0.05 arbitrary units (t1,3 = 3.28; p < 0.01), reflecting optimization of regulatory mechanisms. Simple sensorimotor reaction time decreased from 1.22 ± 0.05 to 1.04 ± 0.05 s (t1,3 = 2.55; p < 0.05), and reaction time to a moving object showed a tendency toward improvement. The level of self-assessed willpower increased from 13.5 ± 1.50 to 18.7 ± 1.80 arbitrary units (t1,3 = 2.22; p < 0.05), and tapping test performance improved from 4.38 ± 0.17 to 4.89 ± 0.15 movements·min–¹ (t1,3 = 2.25; p < 0.05). The greatest inter-age differences were observed between 12- and 14-year-old athletes, whereas adjacent age stages showed moderate changes. The overall shifts confirm the effectiveness of the initial training program in forming psychophysiological reserves, enhancing functional stability, and ensuring safe adaptation to strength loads during adolescence. Regular monitoring of these indicators is practically advisable for stage-based individualization of training structure, optimization of micro- and mesocycles, and prevention of overload.