Improving students' somatic health through aerobic-oriented motor activity

Aim: To investigate the impact of a rationally organized motor activity incorporating aerobic-oriented exercises on the somatic health of university students.

Materials and Methods: The research, conducted in 2025-2026, involved 82 first-year education majors. An experimental group (EG, n = 42) and a control group (CG, n = 40) were formed. The EG students followed the author-developed motor activity program, which incorporated aerobic-oriented exercises, while the CG students followed the traditional physical education program. The students' somatic health was assessed using body mass index (BMI), vital index (VI), strength index (SI), and the Ruffier test.

Results: Positive dynamics in indices were observed in the EG during the research: among male students - BMI by 0.3 kg/m2, VI by 2.9 ml/kg, SI by 3.5 %, and the Ruffier test by 0.4 c. u.; female students - BMI by 0.5 kg/m2, VI by 3.1 ml/kg, SI by 1.8 %, the Ruffier test by 0.9 c. u. No significant changes were observed in the CG. The comparative analysis of the studied indicators at the end of the research demonstrated statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05-0.001) better health indicators in the EG students compared to the CG.

Conclusions: The results of this research demonstrate the effectiveness of a rationally organized motor activity incorporating aerobic-oriented exercises in improving students' somatic health. This will help enhance mental and physical performance, reduce illness incidence, and, consequently, improve students' academic performance during martial law.