Assessment of the perception by athletes of youth age of external factors affecting training and competitive activities

Introduction. The relevance of the topic of the research is related to the need to study the value orientations of representatives of various social groups, which makes it possible to identify the features of their attitudes to themselves, to social subjects and public institutions with which they interact. The purpose of the article is to analyze the perception by Russian athletes of youth age of external factors affecting training and competitive activities. Materials and methods. The study used a questionnaire developed by the authors to assess the perception by Russian athletes of youth age of external factors affecting training and competitive activities. The survey involved 214 Russian athletes (age 15-20 years old). Results. The questionnaire developed by the authors on the Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.906) demonstrated a high degree of reliability and internal consistency. It was revealed that the most positively Russian athletes of youth age perceive the influence of a group of social environment factors on their training and competitive activities. The factors that received the highest average values according to the assessment of the respondents include “Decisions and actions of the coaches”, “Competitive conditions (“fair play”, refereeing)” and “Availability and quality of the material and technical base for sports”. A comparative analysis of the perception of external factors affecting training and competitive activities by age groups of respondents revealed a decrease in average assessment values with increasing age of athletes for a number of factors. Conclusion. The results of the study will be used to develop scientific and methodological recommendations for improving psychological and pedagogical support for the training of athletes of youth age.