Developmental features of coordination skills in young gymnasts with different types of autonomic nervous regulation.

In the training systems for athletes across various specializations, enhancing coordination skills is crucial, particularly in sports requiring complex coordination. Purpose. To develop and test a methodology for improving coordination skills in 6-7-year-old girls engaged in rhythmic gymnastics, tailored to the characteristics of their autonomic nervous regulation. Material and methods. The study involved 40 girls (6.4 ± 1.8 years old) in their first year of rhythmic gymnastics at the initial training stage. Based on the Kerdo index, which characterizes autonomic nervous regulation types, a control group (CG, n = 19) was identified. These athletes followed the federal standard training program. The experimental group (EG, n = 21) participated in a program designed to develop coordination skills, tailored to the specific features of autonomic regulation. The methodology comprised sets of physical exercises, techniques, and methodological approaches, which were applied differentially to athletes with sympathicotonic and parasympathicotonic types of autonomic nervous regulation. In both groups, milestone assessments were performed to evaluate the development of static and dynamic coordination, as well as overall physical fitness. Results. Analysis of the milestone testing results revealed that in the EG, where the proposed methodology for developing coordination skills was applied, the test scores were significantly higher than those in the CG. Athletes with a sympathicotonic type of autonomic regulation achieved better results in motor coordination tests, while those with a parasympathicotonic type excelled in static coordination tests. Athletes with a higher level of coordination development also demonstrated superior results in general physical fitness tests compared to the girls in the CG. Conclusions. It is more effective to develop and improve coordination skills in young gymnasts by considering the identified features of their autonomic nervous regulation. This approach not only improves coordination abilities but also contributes to a higher overall level of physical fitness in the athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]