[The effect of instruction with computers on the functional state of first-graders]

A study is carried out on 64 first grade school children for establishing the effect of computer training on the functional status of principally engaged systems with the purpose to determine the optimum duration of work with video terminal during the school day. The examinations are performed before and after computer lessons in mathematics and Bulgarian language in days with one and two lessons, and with the same subjects taught in the traditional way (control group). Traced are the changes in the accommodation, the eye rheobase, critical frequency of fusing the light flickers, resistance, volume and accuracy of the visual perception, static tremor and excretion of sodium and potassium in the saliva. The data point out to relatively higher pressure at work on video terminal in comparison with the traditional education. This imposes restriction in the duration of the lesson up to 20 minutes. The inclusion of second inconsistent computer lessons in the educational programme has no unfavourable effect on the functional status of the organism.