Trumpųjų nuotolių bėgikų reakcijos trukmės ir judesių dažnumo ypatumai treniruotės vyksme

Psychomotor reaction speed is of great importance when running short distances. Reaction time is a signifi cant component striving for the best results in short distance running. Making reaction time shorter can improve results in 60 and 100 m running. Reaction time is as important as the achievement and maintenance of maximum running speed. In short distance running it is very important to react quickly to the starter pistol of the offi cial. Reaction speed is signifi cant at the beginning of a movement. The frequency of movement depends on the mobility of the central nervous system and the ability of motor centers to move from stimulation to inhibition quickly, and vice versa. It is important to know that the frequency of movements is achieved when the external resistance is minimal. The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the peculiarities of reaction time and frequency of movements of short distance runners in the process of training. Research objectives were as follows: 1) to establish and compare the peculiarities of reaction time of short distance runners in the introductory, preparation and competition periods; 2) to establish and compare the peculiarities of the frequency of movements of short distance runners in the introductory, preparation and competition periods. Reaction time and the frequency of movements were measured applying the reaction-meter RA-1. For the estimation of the reaction time the subjects performed 10 movements with their right hand, then with their left hand. We established the simple reaction time of the subjects’ right and left hands, and then we calculated the best and the mean values of their reaction time. For the estimation of the frequency of movements the subjects had to take a “stick” and to touch the base of a device with it in 10 s as quickly as possible. The fi ndings of our research indicated that the changes in the reaction time of short distance runners were signifi cantly affected by the different physical loads in the training process. From the fi rst till the last testing the best reaction time of the right and the left hand signifi cantly improved (14.53 and 9.89% respectively) (p < 0.05). We also established that mean reaction time between the fi rst and the last testing also signifi cantly improved (14.42 and 11.05% respectively). Though the frequency of sprinters’ movements in different periods of the training sessions slightly improved, we did not fi nd statistically signifi cant differences (p > 0.05).