Nervous System Characteristics of Junior Ice Hockey Players with Early Development

Background: Different levels of biological maturation and nervous processes specific to same-age athletes define their sport efficiency level.

Aims: To evaluate the functional state, physical development and nervous system of ice-hockey players, aged 13.

Methods: Three groups of adolescent ice-hockey players were examined. Sixteen young ice-hockey players with early development were in the experiment group (EG). The control group included teenagers whose physical development age coincided with their biological one (median). They were divided into two subgroups: 1C (16 trial subjects who did not engage in any sport) and 2C (16 trial subjects who played ice-hockey). To investigate nervous system processes, the indices of reaction (simple hand-eye speed reaction), mobility (flicker-light critical frequency) and balance (reaction on a moving object) were observed.

Results: Simple hand-eye speed reaction mean values did not significantly differ: 239.4 and 246s in Group 1C. Functional system stability indices were equal in both groups (1.74 and 1.70 normalized units) but were significantly higher than in Group 1C (1.38 normalized units). As for functional capacity levels, a similar pattern could be seen. Distribution according to the nervous system process motion freedom level was equal in all groups. Regular distribution according to the nervous process balance level was specific for players with early development.

Conclusion: Dissimilarity among adolescent ice-hockey players` functional capacity proves the need to take into account their physiological age and the need to individualize their training process.