THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS OF COGNITIVE COMPUTER TESTS AND SPECIAL PHYSICAL EXERCISES ON THE FOOTBALL PLAYER'S REACTION AND COORDINATION

On the example of 167 young football players belonging to different age groups (8-11, 12-14 and 15-17 years) and having different qualifications (59 non-sportsmen and 108 sportsmen) we demonstrate that visual reaction improves with age and qualification. We also show that reaction and coordination of young football players may be improved using cognitive computer tests and special physical exercises. After the preliminary estimation of their visual reaction by means of computer tests, all players with weak visual reactions were assigned one-month computer training for 30 minutes per week. In addition, all sportsmen took part in special physical training for 30 minutes two times per week. Before and after passing the training sessions all players passed a special control test for reaction and coordination including two exercises: 30-meter dribbling and 30-meter dribbling with 3 cones. In the case of non-sportsmen, the results of time measurement for the control tests after performing computer cognitive tests improved by about 2.62-3.95 % in contrast to 0.47-1.95 % shown by those of them who weren’t involved in the computer training. While in the case of sportsmen, the improvement of the control exercises after participation in both training sessions was about 8.23-10.13 % in contrast to 4.08-7.21 % shown by those of them who participated only in the physical training. Proceeding from these results we can conclude, that both training sessions had a significant effect on the reaction and coordination of young football players. This means that in order to achieve the maximum improvement of reaction and coordination computer cognitive tests should be used in conjunction with special physical exercises.The Conference is organized by the Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sports