Increasing levels of extracurricular physical activity in higher school students

Abstract

The paper examines approaches to increasing levels of leisure time physical activity in higher school students. The following methods were used: theoretical analysis of special scientific and methodological literature and documentary materials; comparison and matching (comparative method); sociological techniques (surveying was conducted using Google Forms); pedagogical methods; methods for assessing physical activity; and the methods of mathematical statistics. The study was carried out at the National technical university of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”. The study involved first and second year students (in total 80 students). The degree of involvement of students in health-enhancing extracurricular activities was determined and the attitude of students to extracurricular forms of organization of physical education classes was assessed according to the following criteria: content of classes; the effectiveness of extracurricular physical education classes; level of logistics; regularity of extracurricular physical education classes; availability of extracurricular activities for different categories of students; compliance of classes with the interests and preferences of students; use of innovative types of physical activity during classes; qualification of research and teaching staff who conduct physical education classes; the quality of theoretical training provided by research and teaching staff during extracurricular time. The main shortcomings of the organizational support for extracurricular physical education classes were identified: insufficient efficiency of extracurricular activities; ignoring innovative approaches to the organization of classes, popular types of physical activity, a wide arsenal of tools and methods of physical education, and modern fitness technologies, which have repeatedly proven their effectiveness in extracurricular activities; and lack of classes during winter and summer vacations, as well as during exam sessions. For most students, physical activity is not a priority. The reasons that prevent students from participating in physical activities and sports were identified as follows: lack of conditions; features of the emotional and volitional sphere of personality (inability to overcome laziness and passivity); lack of theoretical knowledge on designing health-enhancing activities; lack of company; inappropriate health condition; and lack of external incentives.