Aggression level and neurodynamic characteristics of adolescent athletes

Background. Sports performance is largely determined by the psychophysiological characteristics of a person, including the level of aggression. Therefore, early diagnosis of changes in the level of aggression and its relationship with neurophysiological characteristics in young athletes remains relevant. Aim. The paper aims to establish relationship between the level of aggression with the neurophysiological status and biological maturation of adolescent athletes. Materials and methods. 90 hockey players ages 12-14 with similar sports skills were examined. When forming groups, the correspondence of biological age to passport age (mediants, retardants, accelerants) was taken into account according to anthropometric data and the signs of puberty. A comparative analysis of aggression and its components (physical, verbal, anger or hostility) was carried out based on the results of the Buss-Perry Aggression questionnaire. To identify the relationship between aggression, the neurophysiological status and biological maturation, a cluster analysis was carried out. Results. The relationship between aggression, biological maturation and the neurophysiological status of young athletes was established. The studied parameters are combined in several clusters with a high (0.751-0.875) and average (0.626-0.750) degree of correlation. It was revealed that there was a significant excess of general aggression, physical aggression and the affective component of aggressive behavior (anger) in adolescent athletes compared to those athletes whose biological age was behind the passport one. Conclusion. The obtained data will allow developing recommendations for the system of medical and psychological support for adolescent athletes.