Hygienic Characteristics of the Daily Routine of Cadets of the Cossack Corps

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, many hygienic factors determine health and development of children and adolescents. The learning process takes place in educational organizations of various types, which primarily affect the lifestyle and characteristics of stu- dent’s daily routine. Cadet corps occupy a special place in the structure of schools affecting children’s health. Round-the-clock stay on their territory accounts for the fact that school environment determines the development and wellbeing of the boys. Objective: Hygienic assessment of the daily routine of cadets of the Cossack Corps in the Astrakhan Region. Materials and methods: We analyzed the daily routine of cadets in grades 5–11 (aged 11–17) based on the approved schedule of the Cossack Corps of the Astrakhan Region for the 2020–2021 school year. We analyzed the academic load including the duration of lessons and breaks, physical activities, eating schedule and meal duration, overnight sleep duration, and the time spent on extracurricular activities and leisure. Results: The daily routine of the cadets was characterized by optimal alternation of all components. We established that the inten- sity of the academic load was noncompliant with the age of the cadets; besides, the time spent outdoors and night sleep duration were insufficient. Positive findings included intense physical activities exceeding those of other secondary school students and a limited gadget use. Conclusion: Further studies of the educational process of cadet corps will help eliminate the identified shortcomings in the cadet education system and create conditions for health promotion in children and adolescents.