Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the balance abilities and sensorimotor efficiency of central nervous system in 11-14 years old children and correlation between them. The subjects of the study were 66 healthy children, grouped together into four groups by age: 11 years old (n = 14), 12 years old (n = 17), 13 years old (n = 16) and 14 years old children (n = 19). The study was performed in the Kinesiology laboratory of Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education in winter 2006. All the subjects have done classical 40 s finger tapping test, while the number of movements had been recorded in every 5 seconds and 1 min stabilographical test to estimate their balance. The sensorimotor indexes of the central nervous system can be registered by using special computer program, created in laboratory of Kinesiology of Academy of Kaunas Physical Education, together with scientists from University of Physical Education of Ukraine. The programme gives standardized values, which let to compare the working abilities and functional states of the central nervous system. The computerized programme gives standardized values of recorded parameters: mobility, asymmetry, fatigue, general efficiency, anaerobic efficiency and anaerobic load capacity. Stabilography software LIBRA (“Electronic Balance Board”) gives standardized values of recorded parameters: total area to the left and right sides, external area to the left and right sides, external time, recovery time. The results have showed, that balance evaluation of stabilographical parameters with open eyes of 11-14 years old children were lower than with closed eyes that shows better compensation of the balance, i.e., significant role of visual control in performance of balance tasks. Equally there were indicated that the parameters of balance are increasing according to age. This tendency was obtained in the stages of 11-14 and 11-13 years old. The peak results of changes were indicated in the stages of 12-13 years old, but significant differences were in balance indices of total area to the right. The central nervous system parameters: mobility, fatigue, general efficiency, anaerobic efficiency and anaerobic load capacity increased according to age. The calculation of correlation between the tapping tests’ parameters: mobility, fatigue, general efficiency and the stabilographical parameters: total area, external area, external time to the left and to the right have showed the slight and mean link. That proves that Tapping test and stabilographical indices are interdependent. Conclusions: 1. The determined balance parameters of stabilographical test in all stages of age with open eyes are better than with closed by performing the same test. 2. In the stage of 11-14 years adolescents proceed the intensive improvement of motion control: improvement of central nervous system and balance parameters. 3. The calculation of correlation between central nervous system functional state and balance parameters has showed the slight and mean correlation. Verf. Referat