Cognitive functions and special working capacity in elite boxers

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. In the basis of the boxer's power qualities is the ability to perceive and process external information. Therefore, in order to ensure the proper training of qualified boxers, there is a need to monitor the functional state of the boxer’s organism. The relationship between cognitive functions and special working capacity of elite boxers were studied. Material and Methods. The level of special working capacity was studied by the test of punching a boxer for 8 s at maximum speed. Cognitive functions (verbal and nonverbal intelligence, and word memory) were studied using the "Multipsychometer-05" hardware-software. 26 elite boxers, aged 18-24, were tested. Results. The research results showed that groups of boxers with different levels of special working capacity differ in terms of accuracy and efficiency when performing a cognitive task with verbal stimuli. The resulted that the high level of special working capacity of elite boxers is provided by the manifestation of verbal intelligence. Besides, the special working capacity is related with activation of mental functions of attention, speed of visual perception, operational and logical thinking. At the same time, significantly higher values of decision latency in this group of boxers indicate a slowdown in the processing of nonverbal information in boxers with a high level of special working capacity to work. It can be noted that the special working capacity of boxers has a direct relationship with quality and inverse relationship with the speed of information processing. The speed of memorizing verbal information is better in boxers with a high level of special working capacity. This fact indicates the importance of the verbal factor for the assimilation of special information in the training of boxers. The best values of accuracy and efficiency indicate the relationship of special working capacity in skilled boxers with the quality and volume of memorized verbal information. Conclusions. The special working capacity of elite boxers has a direct relationship with quality and inverse relationship with the speed of information processing. The elite boxers with a high level of special working capacity have a better speed of verbal information memorizing.