PROBLEMS OF THEORETICAL PREPARATION IN CYCLIC SPORTS EVENTS (THROUGH THE EXAMPLE OF SWIMMING)

Abstract

The specificity of swimming and the factors of performance form a certain structure and content for the implementation of its theoretical and methodological aspects. The vast majority of scientific studies concern the establishment of specific characteristics of athletes’ level of fitness. The views of many experts indicate the relevance of its research, since it is aimed at improving the methodology of the training process management in swimming by improving the reliability, informative value of individual tests and the system of complex control as a whole. Objective. Assessment of the level of theoretical knowledge and practical skills formation in novice athletes of Zaporizhzhia sports schools in swimming. Methods. Theoretical analysis and synthesis of data from scientific and methodological sources and information from Internet resources; interviewing and peer assessment; analysis of documentary materials; pedagogical observation; methods of mathematical statistics. Results. The study involved novice athletes students of Zaporizhzhia swimming schools “Spartak-KPU” and “Motor-Sich”, merited coaches of Ukraine. Young athletes were surveyed about their theoretical knowledge of swimming on a 10-point scale based on a developed questionnaire. The comparative analysis of the level of theoretical preparation of athletes of diffe­ rent schools in Zaporizhzhia has been carried out. Assumptions regarding the quality of learning swimming teducational material based on a survey of young athletes and coaches have been confirmed. Pedagogical observations have made it clear that the existing number of swimming educational hours devoted to the acquisition of knowledge and skills does not allow almost 90 % of athletes to grasp even the main swimming styles.