THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT VOLUMES OF COMPUTER LOAD ON THE LATENT PERIODS OF A SIMPLE SENSORIMOTOR REACTION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLCHILDREN

Background. The digitalization of education makes relevant monitoring studies for assessing the impact of computer technologies on the functional status of children, their cognitive ca-pabilities and somatic support (“adaptation cost”). Aim. The paper aims to study the impact of different computer load on sensorimotor reactivity in primary schoolchildren. Materials and methods. The data obtained in Moscow schools in 2006-2011 were analyzed. Surveys were carried out twice a year (October, March-April) in 66 different educational organizations. In total, the study included data on 4205 first-fourth year schoolchildren. To evaluate the reaction time (RT) of simple sensorimotor reactions to light (L) and acoustic (A) stimuli, the computer movement meter equipment (CMM, INTOX, St. Petersburg, Russia) was used. Also, the RTA / RTL ratio was used for analysis. Results. There is a correlation between RT (both RTL and RTA) and the general (lesson-related and extracurricular) volume of computer load. It was different depending on gender and the season, and was opposite for RTL and RTA. It was established that excessive computer load (exceeding hygienic standard requirements by 3 or more times) increased the seasonal variability of RTL in spring testing, principally in the third and fourthyear girls. However, under the influence of high computer loads, the RTA / RTL ratio also changes – seasonal varia-bility is formed as a decrease of this indicator in spring testing, principally in the third and fourth-year boys. Conclusion. The data obtained indicate the ambiguity of the effect of high computer loads on sensorimotor reactivity. On the one hand, there are symptoms of fatigue in children during the academic year, which requires compensation through health promotion education. On the other hand, there is a formation of a new skill during the academic year. This period of skill formation is recommended for extension through the summer period.