EFFECT OF REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF VARIOUS INTENSITY ON THE FUNCTIONAL STATUS OF 5–6 AND 6–7-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

Aim. The article aims to identify the effect of regular physical activity of medium and high intensity on the functional status of 5–6 and 6–7-year-old children. Materials and methods. The study involved children assigned for health reasons to the main medical group. A set of indicators characterizing the physiological, psychological, and behavioral aspects of the functional status was used. The experimental programs differed in the intensity of physical exercises. Results. Training programs based on high-intensity physical exercises contributed to a significant improvement in the functional status of the body, autonomic supply, physical performance and physical fitness compared to medium-intensity training programs. Comparison of functional indicators in children revealed that in 5–6-year-old children the level of general activation both in a state of calm wakefulness and under information loads at all stages of the study was higher than in 6–7-year-old children, while physical performance and motor fitness, on the contrary, were lower. Conclusion. The obtained results provide the evidence that 5–6 and 6–7-year-old children making physical exercises of high intensity performed better than those who had exercises of medium intensity as resulted from the degree of positive changes in functional indicators.