State of students’ health and physical fitness under the restrictions of martial law

Abstract

Aim: To study the impact of martial law restrictions on the level of students' health and physical fitness at higher educational institutions. Materials and Methods: The research conducted in 2022-2024 involved 127 students (58 men, 69 women). Methods included analysis, synthesis and generalization of literary sources, express methodology for assessing physical health, testing of physical qualities, and methods of mathematical statistics. Results: It has been established that martial law restrictions negatively impact students' health and physical fitness. Over the two years of war, the level of physical health has significantly deteriorated by 1.8 for male students and by 2.0forfemale students. The results of all physical fitness tests have also significantly deteriorated for both male and female students. Among the physical qualities, the most pronounced negative changes occurred in the endurance, strength, and flexibility indicators. Conclusions: The research results show that students' education under martial law in Ukraine, which takes place in various formats, is accompanied by significant emotional and intellectual intensity, extremely limited motor activity, and stressful situations. This negatively affects the health and physical fitness of today's students. Future specialists' poor health and low physical fitness can negatively impact their professional working capacity and cause various diseases.