Sensorimotor reactions of preschool children engaged in swimming

Relevance. An important critical period of development, which is characterized by a high rate of maturation of the central nervous system, is preschool. Specific relationships between maturing brain structures at this age are reflected in the formation of arbitrary sensorimotor reactions, the study of which allows us to identify patterns of formation of purposeful movements and their structural and functional mechanisms. Swimming exercises have a positive effect on the development of motor functions. Therefore, it is of particular interest to study the degree of tension of somatosensory systems in preschool children engaged in swimming, which allows us to determine the features of motor reactions to sensory stimuli, their individual specifics, and predict their development in order to achieve significant results. The aim of this work was to study sensorimotor reactions in preschool children engaged in swimming. Using the hardware and software complex for psychophysiological studies, the time parameters of sensorimotor reactions were determined in 16 children aged 5-7 years. The latent time of motor reaction to light and sound stimuli, a tapping test that was used to characterize speed, speed endurance, single movement time and fatigue coefficient, was studied at the initial stage and after a year of swimming lessons. Results of research. As a result of the conducted studies, a significant decrease in the motor response time to sound, positive changes in speed endurance and single movement time were found according to the results of tapping testing. The rest of the studied indicators showed a positive trend. The dynamics of the tapping test values allowed us to assess the strength of the nervous system as weak, which characterized the immaturity of the control program in the studied children and affected the increase in the degree of fatigue. A holistic assessment of the organization of the control system of reflex reactions in preschool children engaged in swimming reflects the dynamics of adaptive processes in interaction with the external environment, and the formation of functional stability, plasticity of nerve centers and the neuromuscular apparatus.