IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE

Problem. The aim of this study is to study cognitive properties and decision-making in judokas of different genders. This problem is relevant due to the great popularity of women’s judo and the need to restructure training in accordance with gender characteristics.
Method. The study involved 57 elite judokas: 33 male (age 26.62; SD=3.62) and 24 female (age 24.73; SD=3.57). As a control group, we recruited 19 male (age 25.52; SD=2.48) and 22 female (age 23.92; SD=3.82) who led a sedentary lifestyle and did not play sports. Testing relevant cognitive functions, we applied a multidimensional strategy by testing, perception speed, number comparison, memory for words, pattern making, and decision-making time. All the tests were part of the computer psychodiagnostic complex. Nonparametric methods (median, quartile range), correlation (Spearman) and multiple regression analysis were also used.
Results. The obtained results showed gender-specific effects in cognitive functions in elite judokas. The gender specificity of cognitive activity in judokas and sedentary people did not differ. Female judokas have better indicators of visual perception productivity. Male judokas have predominantly faster information processing, non-verbal intelligence, and better processing of verbal information. The study of the decision-making variable showed significantly higher values of quick decision in male judokas compared to females. It was found that decision-making in elite judokas is determined by the speed and quality of processing verbal and non-verbal information.
Conclusions. Gender features of cognitive activity are characterized by the predominance of a quick response to a non-verbal stimulus in male judokas against the background of the predominance of qualitative properties of visual perception and processing of non-verbal information in female judokas.