Factors and level of physical performance of schoolchildren aged 13–14 years

There is an insufficiency of data on the characteristics of physical performance of schoolchildren in the critical period of ontogenesis associated with pubertal development.The aim of the study. To determine the factors and level of physical performance of schoolchildren aged 13–14 years, taking into account pubertal development.Methodology. The study involved healthy male adolescents aged 13–14 years (n = 165). Five stages of puberty were determined. To diagnose the level of physical performance, a complex of functional and ergometric tests and a battery of motor tests were used. The structure of performance was determined based on the factor analysis.Results and discussion. We determined the factors characterizing physical performance: aerobic capacity; absolute aerobic power; anaerobic alactic performance; anaerobic glycolytic performance; relative aerobic power. The identified factors are associated with zones of relative power. It has been established that during puberty, changes in indicators combined into different factors occur non-linearly and non-simultaneously. The results of the study show that subjects of the same age with stages II, III and IV of puberty differ in the level of key bioenergetic performance criteria. Transition to higher stages of puberty is accompanied with progressive dynamics of most indicators associated with factors of anaerobic performance, while indicators of aerobic power and capacity change in different directions, showing in some cases a tendency to temporarily decrease.Conclusion. It is advisable to use the results of the study when organizing various types of monitoring the functional state and regulation of aerobic and anaerobic physical activity in adolescents aged 13–14 years at different stages of puberty. The obtained materials can serve as a scientific basis for improving the physical education system in order to increase the functional capabilities of children’s bodies during the critical period of ontogenesis associated with pubertal development