Aspects of the functional state of the central nervous system in students
Over the past decade, general education has significantly transformed: teaching technologies changed, academic load increased which undoubtedly could affect the functional state of the central nervous system in students. The conducted survey enrolled 2331 students in 2019 (Group 1) and 2230 students in 2008 (Group 2) attending general educational institutions. Participants were of three age groups: children (aged 7-11 years), early adolescents (aged 12-14 years), and adolescents (aged 15-17 years). We assessed and compared the functional state of the central nervous system using the method of variational chronoreflexometry (indicators were: functional level of the nervous system [NSFL], stability of the nervous reaction [NRS], level of the functional capacity of the formed functional system [FCFS]) and correction task (Landolt’s test) determining the accuracy value of the performed mental work [AV], speed of information processing [SP], and the coefficient of mental capacity [MC]. Analyzed data revealed that NSFL, NRS, and FCFS indicators decreased in children and early adolescents surveyed in 2019; a stabilization of FCFS indicator in Group 1 adolescents compared to Group 2 data. Group 1 demonstrated a significant increase in SP by 2.5 times and MC by 1.8 times. The NSFL indicator was practically the same in children and early adolescents of both Groups; while in adolescents, the NSFL indicator was higher in Group 1. The established decrease in values of NSFL, NRS, and FCFS indicators in Group 1 are probably associated with the combined effect of high tension and intensification of education program with a shortage of time for efficiency restoration. Revealed increase in values of SP and MC indicators in Group 1 is a result of adaptation to high academic load against the background of digitalization of educational process, mass data, and time shortage.