PHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF YOUNG ATHLETES’ DEVELOPMENT IN YOUTH SPORTS

Abstract

Modern youth sports represent a crucial component of the physical development of the younger generation and serve as the foundation for forming the future sports reserve of the country. During childhood and adolescence, the body undergoes active growth, tissue differentiation, and improvement of functional systems, creating specific conditions for the influence of physical loads. It is during this period that significant changes occur in the activities of the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems, which determine the dynamics of physical qualities and adaptive potential development. Special emphasis is placed on developing training programs that consider biological age, individual growth rates, and natural patterns in the development of physical qualities. Research into these areas contributes to enhancing the quality of sports training, maintaining the health of children and adolescents, and building the foundation for their future achievements in elite sports. Thus, the relevance of the chosen topic is highlighted by the need for scientific substantiation of the physiological mechanisms involved in young athletes' development in youth sports.

The aim of the article is to investigate and discuss the physiological mechanisms of young athletes' development in youth sports.

The comparative analysis of studies allows for identifying several conceptual lines. The first is the dominance of neuromuscular adaptations as the initial and leading mechanism of training response in children. The works of K. Legerlotz, U. Granacher, and A. Birat confirm that the enhancement of neural regulation is the main factor in the increase in strength and performance until the point of hormonal maturity. The second line is the critical role of biological age. The works of S. Tumkur Anil Kumar, S. Enomoto, and N. Kanbur demonstrate that the reduction or intensification of training effects is closely related to growth stages, structural tissue changes, and hormonal activation. The third is the importance of monitoring the athlete's condition, which is particularly emphasized in the work of A. Nimmerichter. This indicates a transformation in approaches from 'one-size-fits-all programs' to personalized training models.

In summary, it can be stated that modern research reorients youth sports towards evidence-based and physiologically justified training processes. The authors emphasize that the effectiveness of sports training is determined by the combination of factors such as neuromuscular development, hormonal changes, the condition of the musculoskeletal system, the duration of training exposure, individual growth characteristics, and the adequacy of load monitoring. This approach demonstrates the advantages of integrating biomedical sciences and training practice, forming a foundation for the safe and effective athletic development of children.

The research established that the physiological development of young athletes is a multifaceted process determined by the interaction of biological maturation, training effects, and the organism's adaptation mechanisms. The most significant components of progress in youth sports are the formation of neuromuscular regulation, structural changes in the musculoskeletal system, and hormonal adjustments, which define individual trajectories of sports formation. The study confirms that the success of the sports development of young athletes is determined not only by training intensity but primarily by its alignment with biological age, adaptive capacities, and the structural features of a growing organism. Understanding the physiological mechanisms of development is the foundation for scientifically grounded approaches to the training process aimed at achieving high results and preserving the health of young people.