THE ROLE OF NEURODYNAMICAL PROPERTIES OF YOUNG WRESTLERS AS COMPONENTS OF MENTAL READINESS FOR COMPETITIONS

Abstract

The article addresses the crucial contribution of neurodynamic properties (NDP) of young wrestlers to the effective implementation of their competitive performance. The paper presents chronoreflexometry data obtained from young athletes during the pre-competition period and offers an in-depth analysis of the correlation between these neurodynamic indicators and competitive success. A brief review of existing literature on psychophysiological research in sport, including contemporary studies in sports neurodynamics aimed at performance prediction, is also provided. It is proven that the efficiency of the central nervous system (CNS) holds critical significance for competitive success in wrestling, particularly at the junior level, underscoring the necessity of predicting young athletes' success through an assessment of their CNS quality. This study confirms that the ability of young wrestlers to achieve higher rankings in the tournament table reliably correlates not with basic speed, but with the quality and efficiency of higher CNS function. It is established that the determining factor in competitive success is a combination of reaction complexity and accuracy. Leading athletes exhibit a significantly shorter latency period in highest complexity reactions, which reflects their superior ability to rapidly analyze, differentiate information, and make critical decisions under the time pressure and high uncertainty inherent to the mat environment. Furthermore, significantly fewer errors were registered across all chronoreflexometry tests for the leading wrestlers. This indicates a higher strength of nervous processes, greater fatigue resistance, and the effectiveness of internal active inhibition. The findings confirm that NDP indicators are valuable markers of an athlete's functional state, and their diagnosis allows for an accurate assessment of a wrestler's psychophysiological readiness and adaptive reserve for competitive activity.