Studying the functional state of muscular and respiratory systems of technological university students

Abstract

The article examines and evaluates the functional state of the muscular and respiratory systems of Cherkasy State Technological University students during the first three years of study. Theoretical methods (analysis and thorough review of scientific literature), instrumental methods (wrist dynamometry, spirometry), methods of mathematical data processing are used during the research. Assessment of the indicators of the functional state of the muscular system is based on the indicators of muscle strength and strength index; the respiratory system is investigated by comparing the actual indicators of vital capacity of the lungs with the supposed standards, as well as by evaluating the indicators of the respiratory index with the average rate. The results of research reveal that the muscular strength of the male students within the period from the first to the third year of study is slightly increasing, whereas the female students` relevant indicators are not changing. Another indicator of the functional state of the muscular system is that the strength index of most male students correlates with the norm during the first three years of study, and with each passing year the share of males lagging behind this norm is also decreasing. The strength index within the female group during the same period occurs to be lower than the standard indicators and is not increasing. The vital capacity of the lungs in both male and female groups generally meets the age standards, though being slightly lower than the proper ones. The average values of the males` respiratory index correlate only with the lower limits of the norm, while the values of the females` index turn to be below the average norm. The share of students with reduced values of this indicator is 41,9% for males and 52,3% for females. The results obtained should be evaluated as a sign of reduced functionality of respiratory system of the students examined. These data are considered to be the evidence of insufficient students` motor activity, that makes it possible to use these results for elaborating programs for physical training to improve the functional state of university students within the period of study.