Functional status of the central nervous system in girls aged 16-18 years old

Background
The objective of the study was to explore the dynamics of the functional state of the central nervous system (CNS) and neurophysiological processes of girls 16-18 years old in the context of their transition to a new level of social organization.

Material and methods
The functional state of the CNS was studied in girls 16-18 years old in a state of relative muscular rest through observation of visible motive reactions, Loskutova’s method, and in the fifth minute of renewal after the physical loading with variable power.

Results
We found that 17 year-old girls had the best functional CNS capabilities. The reduced adaptive capacity of the CNS in 16 year-old girls is due to their necessity for adaptive reorganization of regulatory mechanisms to new social conditions: examinations and university entry. After physical activity, 16 and 18 year-old girls registered stress reactions, indicating decreased CNS adaptation.

Conclusions
17 year-old girls were observed at rest to have better CNS functionality compared to the other age groups. Analysis of the dynamics of the functional CNS states of 16–18 year-old girls after exercise resulted in the identification of two main reaction types: 1) reduction of the basic criteria at high initial values; 2) increase of criteria of a general functional state of a brain at low raw data.