Objective: To identify the links between the changes of functional indicators and the level of mental working capacity of athletic and non-athletic females after standardized physical loa.
Material and methods: The study was performed in the Center for Research of Human Physical Abilities of Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education. Ten athletic and eight non-athletic females participated in the study. During the study electrocardiogram and RR intervals were registered and artery blood pressure was measured. All data were recorded using specialized computer software. Recovery processes were estimated as half periods of recovery indicators. The test of the mental working capacity was performed 5 min. before and after physical load.
Results: Reaction to physical load and recovery were faster of athletic than non-athletic females. The faster recovery (half period T was shorter) was seen in ratio of heart function and regulatory system possibly in order the whole recovery process could be controlled (estimated by ratio T(JT/RR)(s)). Recovery speed, evaluated by its half period, for heart rate T(HR)(s), by systolic blood pressure T(S)(s), by heart metabolic features T(JT)(s), regulatory system impact to recovery of peripheral processes were also higher (shorter half period) for athletic females during bicycle ergometry test. Standardized physical load caused an increase in mental working capacity, accuracy and efficiency for athletic females. For non-athletic females intensity and efficiency of mental working capacity was not changed; accuracy was worse after physical load.
Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that regulatory system of athletic females responded to standardized physical load like to adequate stimulus to organism functional abilities and this can be associated with better results of mental working capacity.