Comparative analysis of psychophysiological states among Croatian and Ukrainian wrestling

Problem Statement. The task of psychophysiological control is to obtain operational information about the state of the main characteristics and qualities of the athlete, which can be used to correct the training system. Psychophysiological control include of complex of assessments of personal-typological, sensorimotor, psychcogial and cognitive characteristics of the athlete. There is a need to develop a system for diagnosing of psychophysiological states and correction of deficits of adaptation process for elite athletes. Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare psychophysiological state among Croatia and Ukrainian wrestlers and add to a more holistic psychophysiological diagnostic in expert athletes. Methods: Participants are the elite Greco-Roman wrestlers and members of the national teams of Ukraine (20 athletes) and Croatia (12 athletes). The psychophysiological states of wrestlers were studied by a holistic methodological approach which includes: estimate of psychological state, balance of nervous process and functional mobility of nervous process. Results: The results indicated higher performance in visual perception and the ability of information processing speed of Ukrainian wrestlers compared to Croatian wrestlers. Differences have been observed as well in optimal impulsiveness, emotional stability and stress resistance that is less optimal Croatian wrestlers. Croatian wrestlers have an increased level of impulsivity and, as a result show low emotional stability. This may indicates possible spontaneous and premature actions of wrestlers. For Ukraine wrestlers arousal and fatigue management are future goals for improvement. Conclusions: We conclude that Ukraine Team should improve preparedness to training given the fatigue and arousal. For Croatian wrestlers emotional instability and improvement of visual perception need to be considered.