Dynamics of physical development, functional status, speed-strength and strength qualities of students during the first year of study

Aim. The paper aims to identify the dynamics of physical development, speed-strength and strength qualities of female students during the first year of study. Materials and methods. 300 full time female students participated in the study (Vyatka State University, Kirov) with the mean age for the first-year year students being 18.35 ± 0.04 years and for the second-year students 20.33 ± 0.92 years. The dynamics of physical development, functional status, speed-strength and strength qualities was identified by means of standard and widely used methods. Results. The following parameters were improved in the first year of study: body mass, weight- height ratio, strength of the right handgrip, dead hang exercise time, push up (number of reps) and breath holding test performance. The following parameters decreased during the first year: standing long jump performance, blood flow efficiency, endurance coefficient and systolic blood pressure. Conclusion. Positive changes were recorded, which confirmed the presence of developmental processes. Negative changes were mostly associated with the decrease of speed-strength qualities, which was explained by selective muscle activity.