Jaunųjų vidutinių nuotolių bėgikų atranka ir rengimas

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Atranka; Jaunieji bėgikai; Treneriai; Vidutinių nuotolių bėgimas; Coaches; Middle distance running; Selection; Young runners.

ENThis study analyses the problem of selection and training of young athletes for middle distance running. The study was carried out in two stages. The first stage of the study was a questionnaire survey. The participants of the survey where 22 Lithuania’s big city coaches that train young middle distance runners. Most of the participants (61.1 %) were men. Almost half (44.4 %) where aged from 51 to 60 years old, one fifth (22.2 %) – 20 to 30 years old. One third of the participants (33.2 %) had a working experience of up to 30 years. All of them had a higher education, and most of them (88.8 %) graduated university in Lithuania. In the second stage of the study, the participants where 25 (76 % girls) children from 11 to 13 years old, who attended track-and-field training sessions with an emphasis on middle distance running. Average age was 12.3±0.9 years for girls, and 11.7±0,8 years for boys. Measurements of their physical development (height, body mass, chest girth, vital capacity) and physical fitness (60 meter run, standing long jump, 300 meter run) where taken. Descriptive data are presented as means (X), standard deviation (Sx), and percentage values. One Sample T test was used for comparison of physical development and physical fitness of participants with provided reference points. The relationship between two variables was determined using correlation coefficient r. The significant level was set to p≤0.05. The date where analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Half (50 %) of Lithuanians middle distance running coaches who participated in the study stated that they are using a selection process to find talented kids, other half (50 %) of participants stated that they invite all children to train, and dont carry out the selection process. In the initial stage of a long-term preparation, coaches carry out a variety of tests/studies.On average every three months coaches measure the changes in physical fitness of young runners. Analysis of the results of physical development and physical fitness tests shows that height and weight measurements of girls where significantly (p<0.05) higher, and chest girth, 60 m and 300 m running results were significantly (p<0.05) worse than recommended for both genders. [From the publication]