There is little research on the study of specific characteristics that contribute to the faster adaptation of athletes during the transition from one sport to another. We used virtual reality (VR) to study the differences between professional ice hockey players and other sport professionals (freestyle wrestlers), who were novices in hockey in terms of motor responses and efficiency performance, on different levels of difficulty. In the VR environment, four levels of difficulty (four blocks) were simulated, depended on the speed of the puck and the distance to it (Bl1—60–80 km/h and 18 m; Bl2—60–100 km/h, distances 12 and 18 m; Bl3—speeds up to 170 km/h and 6, 12, and 18 m; Bl4—the pucks are presented in a series of two (in sequence with a 1 s interval)). The results of the study showed that the hockey professionals proved to have more stable movement patterns of the knee and hip joints. They also made fewer head movements as a response to stimuli during all runs (0.66 vs. 1.25, p = 0.043). Thus, working out on these parameters can contribute to the faster adaptation of wrestlers in developing professional ice hockey skills.

Саморегуляция является одним из основных ресурсов, способствующих продуктивной реализации деятельности и получению удовлетворения от жизни. Целью исследования было изучение роли различных аспектов саморегуляции в развитии внутренней мотивации и психологического благополучия при занятиях спортом. Для исследования различных аспектов саморегуляции была использована «Методика исследования самоуправления» Ю. Куля и А. Фурмана, для изучения выраженности внутренней мотивации – «Методика исследования мотивации в спорте», для диагностики степени удовлетворенности жизнью применялись «Шкала удовлетворенности жизнью» и «Шкала негативных и позитивных эмоций» Э. Динера. В исследовании приняли участие 178 спортсменов в возрасте от 17 до 33 лет (М = 19.38; SD = 1.88), имеющие звания (разряды) от юношеского до мастера спорта международного класса. Проведенный регрессионный анализ показал, что такие аспекты саморегуляции, как планирование своей деятельности, чувствительность к собственным ценностям и регуляция эмоционального состояния, способствуют более высокому уровню удовлетворенности спортсменов жизнью, а такие параметры, как развитие воли и способность к регуляции своей деятельности, значимо влияют на поддержание их внутренней мотивации к занятиям спортом. Сравнение групп с различными уровнями выраженности саморегуляции показало, что спортсмены, обладающие более высокими показателями навыка саморегуляции, характеризуются более устойчивой внутренней мотивацией к занятиям спортом и меньшей выраженностью негативных переживаний, а также чаще испытывают положительные эмоции. Кроме того, было впервые продемонстрировано, что наиболее развитые показатели волевой регуляции характерны для спортсменов на начальном и профессиональном уровнях мастерства, по сравнению с теми, кто находится на промежуточном этапе. Установлено, что саморегуляция является одним из важнейших ресурсов спортсмена, имеющих значение не только для повышения эффективности его деятельности и улучшения профессиональных результатов, но и для ощущения благополучия жизни в целом.

Nowadays, knowledge of psychophysiological features, particularly on the nervous system’s characteristics, is essential in the sporting context, particularly for freestyle wrestling. The study aimed to investigate the peculiarities of the wrestlers’ nervous system—on the individual and electrophysiological levels in two functional states—in calm wakefulness and during intense physical fatigue. Psychological (Well-being, Activity, Mood; Spielberger–Hanin; Leonhard’s questionnaires), as well as electrophysiological techniques (dynamics of the dominant and average frequencies of the main electroencephalogram (EEG) spectra—theta, alpha, low and high-frequency beta rhythms), were used in the study. It was shown that athletes were mainly characterized by the hyperthymic type of character accentuation and a low frequency of theta rhythm in a calm wakefulness state. After the acute physical load, wrestlers with high hyperthymia showed a moderate increase in theta, whereas other athletes showed a decrease in this parameter. Regardless of the level of hyperthymic accentuation, all wrestlers were characterized by an increase in the frequency of alpha rhythm after exercises in the left hemisphere. These results suggest the existence of a particular functional system in freestyle wrestlers, which allows the body’s regulatory systems to be adapted for the effective implementation of sports activity.

Physical activity (PA) has been shown to be related to physical and mental health. Yet there are few studies on how the frequency of PA relates to health and a healthy lifestyle. We aimed to investigate how the frequency of different PAs is associated with the following health indicators: body mass index (BMI), substance consumption, physical health, and mental health. We focused on three types of PA: (1) medium- to high-intensity aerobic exercise; (2) low- to medium-intensity relaxing exercise; and (3) outdoor leisure PA. A total of 9617 volunteers, aged 19 to 81, participated in the study. The relationships between the frequencies of the three types of PA and health-related and sociodemographic factors were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. We found that women more frequently engaged in PA type 2, and men in types 1 and 3. A higher frequency of PA was associated with lower BMI and less or no smoking behavior; higher education (PAs 1 and 3); higher age (PAs 2 and 3); better physical health (PAs 1 and 3); and better mental health (PA 3). In conclusion, higher frequency of different PAs was significantly associated with better physical and mental health, less smoking, higher age, and a higher level of education.

The concept of "free action" was introduced by L.S. Vygotsky to explain the driving forces of mental development. Using the method of reconstruction, we determined that the trinity of awareness (awareness - logicality - arbitrariness) in each mental function is transformed in the process of development into the trinity of reflection - motive - will, which represents "free action". We investigated three properties of free action: reflection of the whole psyche in itself (permeation of triangular connections of mental functions); fulfillment of a dynamic function as a way of development; connection with neuropsychic and vegetative structures of the organism. Results: the contradictions between L.S.Vygotsky's methodological reflection and our reconstruction of his ideas about psyche as a dynamic triangular network are highlighted; the regulatory function of free action is substantiated; the connection of free action with electrophysiological and vegetative parameters of the organism is established; the age limit of qualitative changes in free action is marked.