PHASED CHANGES IN PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF WEIGHTLIFTERS IN THE DYUSSH SYSTEM

Abstract

The study aimed to determine changes in psychophysiological indicators in female youth weightlifters aged 12-20 years under the influence of systematic training within the classical programme implemented in Children and Youth Sports Schools (DUSSh). The sample comprised 64 athletes in the first body-mass group (<53 kg) who completed four stages of longterm preparation (from the initial stage to the stage of preparation for higher achievements) while training at DUSSh in Kharkiv and Romny. Psychophysiological capacity was assessed using the Schulte table test (including the work-in index and mental stability), simple visual reaction time, and self-assessment of willpower according to M. M. Obozov’s test. Testing was conducted at the end of each stage; results were processed using mathematical statistics with Student’s t-test. The findings demonstrated a pronounced positive trend. The work-in index decreased from 0,143±0,01 to 0,055±0,01 a.u. (t₁,₄ = 6,22; p <0,001). Mental stability improved: 1,10±0.03 – 0,98 ± 0,02 a.u. (t₁,₄ =3,33; p < 0,01). Simple reaction time shortened from 0,25 ± 0,009 to 0,19 ± 0,011 s (t₁,₄ = 4,22; p < 0,001). Self-assessed willpower increased from 16,6±1,5 to 23,1±1,3 a.u. (t₁,₄ = 3,27; p < 0,01). Taken together, these changes indicate improvements in cognitive–sensorimotor mechanisms, greater resistance to stressors, and expanded neuro-psychic reserves over the course of long-term preparation. The largest differences were recorded between the 12- and 20-year groups, whereas shifts between adjacent stages were moderate or selective. The results confirm the effectiveness of the classical DUSSh training programme, which provides a gradual increase in training volume and intensity and targeted development of cognitive, sensorimotor, and volitional qualities. The dynamics remained within acceptable physiological variation, indicating the programme’s safety for youth athletes and its alignment with staged preparation goals. The identified patterns are consistent with current evidence and provide a basis for individualising training through regular monitoring of psychophysiological markers, taking into account age, training experience, and morphological characteristics. Future research should examine relationships between psychophysiological markers and competitive technique efficiency and integrate ovarian-menstrual cycle (OMC) phases and somatotype into load-planning models.