V.V. Dugina, Ph.D.
E.A. Yakimova, Ph.D.
Mordovian State Pedagogical Institute named after M.E. Evsev'ev, Saransk

Key words: organization of classes, physical training, schoolchildren, sports class, training method, ski training, biathlon.

Relevance. School curriculum on physical culture in its present form is still focused on the formation of primarily numerous motor skills and abilities. However, according to researches and practical experience, the path of development of motor skills and abilities and their autonomic components, and obtaining the recreational effect from physical load require much more time than it is provided by the school curriculum. Various forms of educational and sports and fitness activities have been developed in the system of physical education of comprehensive schools. It is known that motor mode, including various forms of physical education, is accompanied by a significant fitness and training effect. As practice shows, innovative processes and sports-centered physical education are being actively implemented with great success in many educational institutions in comprehensive schools [1; 2; 3].

The purpose of the study was to consider the methodology of organization of physical training in a sports class with children aged 11-12 years.

Materials and methods. In order to realize the purpose of the study the methodology of organization of physical education in a sports class was used and the specificity of its impact on the physical fitness of schoolchildren was considered, and the effectiveness of the implementation of this methodology in comprehensive schools was assessed. The study was conducted in the municipal educational institution “Secondary school with in-depth study of selected subjects № 24” of the town of Saransk, the Republic of Mordovia. The class was formed on the basis of the typological commonness of motor characteristics and the interest shown by schoolchildren in a particular sport (in our case to biathlon) as well as the level of physical fitness of children since that creates prerequisites for the successful and purposeful implementation of set targets. The start of the research was preceded by methodological preparation. The content of the physical education curriculum and a perspective training plan of a sports class providing versatile physical training of those involved were studied. The specificity of planning classes was that along with the implementation of the basic and variable parts of the integrated physical education curriculum with children of the sports class training sessions in the biathlon center were also planned. The training program included mass sports that constitute the basic part of the integrated physical education curriculum (sports games, general gymnastics, athletics, ski training) and a variable part with the use of sports games.

Results and discussion. In order to reach the set targets classes were conducted throughout the year according to the curriculum created basing on all-around training and at the same time introducing schoolchildren into ski training. Training work in the sports class was based on the independent choice of a particular sport (biathlon). It was in the form of sports training in compliance with the basic principles of pedagogics and methodology of sports training, and educational, recreational and instructional issues were solved on this single basis. An important feature of the organization of the educational process was that mandatory physical education lessons in the sports class were held in accordance with the school timetable, while the training sessions were extracurricular but mandatory. The sports class’ program targeted initial training. Overall supervision of the ski training (biathlon) in a sports class was assigned to the physical education teacher working both as a coach and a teacher in a biathlon center. According to the study plan constant medical monitoring of health status of the schoolchildren in the studied groups was provided. The training process was mainly directed to the formation of a stable motivation for systematic physical education and sports sessions.

The pedagogical testing of physical fitness of children aged 11-12 was held at the beginning and at the end of the school year. All the exercises used in the training of skiers-biathletes were divided into the following main groups: exercises of the main type of skiing – cross country ski race (biathlon) - selected as a subject of specialization. This group included skiing techniques (skating steps, descents, climbs, turns, etc.) as well as rifle shooting. All these exercises were performed in different variations and using different techniques.

Calisthenic routine was divided into two subgroups: а) calisthenic preparatory exercises; b) exercises from other sports. The first subgroup included a variety of exercises with and without accessories (stuffed balls, dumbbells, ancillary items - weights, shots, etc.). This subgroup also included resistance exercises with partners and elastic objects (rubber tubes, springs, etc.). The second subgroup consisted of exercises from other sports (athletics, sports games, etc.) that were mainly used during the snowless time of the year for the development of physical qualities that are necessary for skiers. The exercises were chosen to ensure the greatest positive transfer of physical qualities from the applied type to the main one – cross country ski race.

Special exercises were also divided into two subgroups: а) special preparatory; b) special lead-up exercises. Special preparatory exercises were used for the development of physical and volitional qualities in relation to cross country ski race. Special lead-up exercises were used to study the elements of skiing techniques. The special exercises group included exercises that have a selective impact on specific muscle groups involved in certain movements that underlie a particular ski technique (for example, push-offs), as well as a wide range of simulation exercises (both in place and on the move). In this case, simulation exercises were used for improvement of a specific element of the technique as well as for several elements (in a combination).

The use of simulators (roller skis) greatly enhances the impact of special exercises. At the beginning of the preparatory period simulation exercises in a small volume were used as a means of learning and improving technical elements. In autumn both volume and intensity of these exercises increased, and they contributed to the development of special qualities. Endurance exercises were performed with moderate intensity and duration depending on the phase, period and fitness level. To develop strength body-weight load exercises were used as well as exercises with external weights, resistance exercises with elastic objects (rubber tubes and bandages, expanders) in various positions, a variety of moves for all muscle groups. All exercises aimed at speed increase were performed with the maximum speed (intensity), the number of repetitions was limited by the time point before the beginning of its reduction, and also depending on individual characteristics of children. For the development of speed and strength qualities various jumps and jumping exercises were used such as multiple one and two leg standing jumps using from different starting positions. For the development of speed and strength qualities of arm and shoulder muscles exercises with external weights (stuffed balls, dumbbells) as well as with body-weight load were used. The weights varied from small (25 or more repetitions) to medium (13-15 repetitions) in various exercises and for different muscle groups. All the exercises were performed dynamically - at high speed (possible with the value of weights taken into account). When developing dexterity sets of exercises were constantly updated as the effect of their use lasted only until the athletes got used to them. All exercises aimed at flexibility development were used many times, repeatedly with a gradual increase of the amplitude, performed in sets of several repetitions each. Special attention was paid to flexibility development at the age of 11-12, as it is a sensitive period for the development of this motor quality. Special exercises to develop the vestibular apparatus were also used to a large extent duirng sports training of the children.

The training means used for learning and improving techniques of skiing and developing physical characteristics of young skiers-biathletes were mainly the same as when training adult skiers. The major difference was in the volume of certain exercises used. The amount of the used exercises depended on the development level of certain characteristics of overall fitness and training phase.

Average indicators of physical fitness of the children at the beginning and at the end of the school year are presented in Table.

Table. Physical fitness indicators of boys and girls at the beginning and at the end of the year in the sports class

In endurance exercises (1000 m) the results had a tendency to a slight improvement - by 0.27 and 0.23 seconds for boys and girls respectively. As for the values of speed qualities (60 m run, shuttle run 3x10 m) the results improved by 1.5 and 0.1 seconds for boys and girls accordingly. Small improvements were detected in the changes of strength endurance indicators – the results in pull-ups increased by two and 1 time for boys and girls respectively, the number of press-ups of boys increased by 5 times, and of girls - by 3 times. The result of the sit-ups test also had a tendency to improve among both boys and girls (by 2 times). In the standing long jumps test that defines explosive force some changes were also revealed - this parameter increased by 4 cm for boys and by 5 cm for girls. In the forward bend test used to assess mobility of the vertebral column and flexibility in hip and knee joints small changes were also observed - the result increased by 1 cm and 2 cm for boys and girls respectively.

Conclusions. According to the findings, we can conclude that the specifics of the methodology of organization of physical education classes in a sports class with 11-12-year-olds are six-time training sessions per week, as well as a well-chosen set of special exercises for development of physical qualities that are paramount in selected sport. This confirms the positive attitude of pupils to physical exercises. The obtained results and conclusions can be used by physical education teachers in their sports practice.

References

1. Balsevich, V.K. Sports-centered physical education at comprehensive school / V.K. Balsevich / Sport v shkole (application for "Pervoe sentybrya". – 2004. – № 4. – P. 5-7. (In Russian)
2. Dugina, V.V. Different organizational forms of training sessions with 10-11 year-olds and their impact on training physical qualities of a typical municipal secondary school: abstract of Ph.D. thesis / V.V. Dugina. – Moscow, 2004. – 22 P. (In Russian)
3. Lubysheva, L.I. School sports culture / L.I. Lubysheva. – Moscow, 2006. – 174 P. (In Russian)

Corresponding author: v.dugina2007@yandex.ru