Physical Performance Among Air Force ROTC Cadets Following Non-Mandatory Training

CADETS' MOTIVATION FOR MOTOR ACTIVITY AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN IMPROVING THEIR HEALTH

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To investigate cadets' motivational priorities for physical exercises and sports in the process of their training and the dynamics of their health indicators.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: The research was conducted at the National Academy of Internal Affairs in 2018-2022. The research of motivational priorities involved 372 male cadets from the 1st to the 4th instructional years aged 17 to 22. Two groups were formed to investigate the state of cadets' health: group A (n = 39) included motivated cadets who were additionally engaged in sports, group B (n = 66) was represented by insufficiently motivated cadets who undertook training according to the traditional physical education program and did not additionally engage in physical exercises and sports.

RESULTS

Results: It was found that the motivational priorities of cadets for physical exercises and sports vary depending on the instructional year. Group A cadets showed a significantly better level of health than those from group B, by 2.98 points (p ≤ 0.001) during the 4th instructional year.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: A high level of cadets' health formed in the process of physical exercises and sports during training will contribute to the mastering of the educational program and, in the future, will ensure the effectiveness of their service activities. Therefore, the formation of cadets' conscious motivation for motor activities during training in order to improve their health is an important task of higher educational institutions.

Health-improving Effect of Engagement in Different Types of Motor Activities for Cadets of Higher Military Educational Institutions

Aim: To investigate the impact of various sports on the level of physical health of cadets of higher military educational institutions. Materials and Methods: 113 cadets took part in the research, which was conducted in 2017-2021. The cadets of interest attended the sports clubs in various sports: competitive sports (n=27), all-around military sports (n=16), strength sports (n=23), martial arts (n=26), strength endurance (n=21). The level of cadets’ physical health was assessed by morphological (body length, body mass, vital lung capacity, hand dynamometry) and functional (heart rate, blood pressure) indicators. Results: It was found that physical exercises and sports aimed at developing endurance and strength qualities have the greatest health-improving effect. The cadets, who during their training were engaged in all-around military sports, military pentathlon, sports orienteering, kettlebell lifting, crossfit, have the highest level of physical health characterised by 12.11-12.34 points. Conclusions: The conclusions of many scientists were confirmed that motor activities are the main factor of good human health. It was established that rationally organized training sessions in the sports clubs of the military educational institution on various types of sports have a positive health-improving effect on the cadets’ body. This, in turn, will contribute to increasing the resistance of their body to adverse environmental factors, compliance with the standards of a healthy lifestyle and improving their working capacity during the performance of assigned tasks.