The use of sports games in training skiers of different ages and skill levels

Abstract

Relevance. Given the scientific interest in integrating sports games into the long-term training of cross-country skiers of various skill levels, research on this topic is relevant to modern sports science and practice, as it can contribute to improving the quality of training and creating more flexible and effective training models.

Objective: to determine the impact of sports games on the development of physical qualities and psychological characteristics of skiers of different ages.

Materials and methods. The study is based on a comprehensive methodological approach that includes: theoretical analysis of scientific sources, the method of generalisation and synthesis of theoretical developments and empirical data, comparative analysis of existing studies, pedagogical experiment, psychophysiological studies, methods of mathematical and statistical processing of research results. The study was conducted over a 2-year cycle. During the study, 4 experimental groups (EG) of different ages from the Children's and Youth Sports School were formed, consisting of 26 athletes.

Results. It has been established that the inclusion of the game method (2–4 times a week depending on the training groups) significantly improves explosive strength and endurance indicators (p<0.05). After the introduction of game-based training, athletes in the initial group showed a significant increase in speed, coordination, and speed-strength indicators: 30 m sprint improved by 15.4%; standing long jump increased by 18.1%; 4×9 m shuttle run improved by 16.6% (p<0.05). Athletes in the basic training group showed a significant improvement in performance: 30 m sprint improved by 15.5%; 1000 m run improved by 6.5%; long jump – an increase of 11.9% (p < 0.05). In the specialised training groups, the following indicators increased significantly: 3000 m running improved by 4.7%; 4×9 m shuttle running improved by 10.9%; classic style roller skiing improved by 8.7% (p<0.05). Athletes in the groups training for higher athletic performance showed improvements in the following indicators: 3000 m running by 8.9%; time to cover the control distance on roller skis 5 km in classic style by 5.4% (p<0.05). The results of psychological testing showed a positive effect of sports games on the psycho-emotional state of athletes. In the initial and basic training groups, the level of situational anxiety decreased by an average of 23–27%, and attention concentration indicators according to the Burdon–Anfimov test increased by 14–16% (p<0.05). In the specialised training group, game-based activities contributed to stabilising the psycho-emotional state and increasing motivation for the training process, as confirmed by a reduction in the variability of psychological test results.

Conclusions. The use of sports games in the long-term training of ski racers is an effective means of developing general physical qualities and improving psychological characteristics. The methodologically grounded inclusion of games allows for the optimization of the training process, increases motivation and the resistance of athletes to physical and psycho-emotional loads, and contributes to the formation of comprehensive sports mastery. It is proven that basketball most effectively develops coordination and operational thinking, football enhances aerobic power, and volleyball improves psychological stability and reaction accuracy.