Specific features of organizing sports classes for young athletes (results of a survey of parents and coaches)

Purpose of the study: study of organization of sports training of young athletes with the aim of studying their psychological readiness for increased loads, taking into account the minimum age for starting sports

Materials and methods. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 2827 parents of children involved in sports, and 411 coaches participated in the survey. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics using Statistica‑10.0 and Microsoft Excel.

Results. The respondents’ children most often participate in team sports (25.6 %), martial arts (23.0 %), complex coordination sports (18.9 %), and cyclical sports (16.8 %). Earlier sports initiation ages are typical for rhythmic gymnastics (4.1 ± 0.9 years), artistic gymnastics (4.8 ± 1.7 years), and hockey (4.9 ± 1.3 years). In terms of the number of hours per week devoted to training, complex coordination sports rank first (12.4 ± 8.1 hours). Children with competitive experience are noted to start sports earlier, have a greater number of training sessions, and have them last longer. 65.5 % of parents reported an increase in their child’s activity since starting sports, 19.6 % said their child became more attentive, and 12.3 % said their child became less capricious and more balanced. 86.0 % of respondents reported that their children suffered from colds less often.

Conclusion. The survey data allowed for a preliminary assessment of the specifics of young athletes’ training, including the age at which children begin playing sports and certain aspects of the training process (class schedule, training hours). The data obtained demonstrate the need for a scientific study of the organization and conditions of young athletes’ sports training to substantiate criteria for assessing a child’s readiness for sports based on their physiological, physical, and psychological state, taking into account an in‑depth study of the minimum age for starting sports. This will promote the normal functioning of the child’s primary body systems and reduce the risk of developing health problems.

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