Changes in psychomotor coordination in eighth grade students from 2004 to 2020

Background: The digitalization of the human environment, including the educational one, makes relevant the study of its influence on functional parameters in terms of somatic health and psychophysiological and psychological aspects. Aims: the paper presents a comparative analysis of psychomotor coordination in adolescents aged 14-15 (8th grade). The data was obtained in 2004 and 2020, the years that differed in the level of digitalization of the educational environment. Materials and methods. Psychomotor coordination was evaluated during motor tasks on the digital movement measuring device. A total of 67 adolescents were examined in 2004 and 31 in 2020, all measurements were taken in late February - early March. The data obtained included speed, accuracy, smoothness of movements, reactivity to different stimuli, and motor asymmetry. Results. Throughout the study period, increased speed was found both in girls and boys, accompanied by a significant loss of accuracy and smoothness of movements (2-2.5-fold change in these indicators in absolute terms). At the same time, increased reactivity to sound but not light stimuli was observed. According to the asymmetry data, decreased lateralization and the approximation of all indicators to ambidexterity were found. Conclusion. Instrumental methods for the assessment of psychomotor coordination revealed significant changes in the ability of 14-15-year-old adolescents to perform unfamiliar motor tasks. These changes were attributed to the digitalization of the environment and the formation of a new pattern of movements, including faster interaction with a computer.