Analysis of movement activity of higher education students in the conditions of distance education

Abstract

In the recent period, students of institutions of higher education (HEI) carry out educational activities with the help of remote forms of education, which is an unfavorable factor that encourages them to lead a sedentary lifestyle. Scientists testify that the motor activity of modern student youth is decreasing. However, for now, there is a lack of basic scientific investigations that would cover a long period of time, which determined the choice of the research topic. The purpose of the study was to study and analyze the dynamics of motor activity of students of higher education in the conditions of distance learning. 1528 applicants of higher education of Ukraine participated in the study, which lasted from 2019 to 2023, of which 45.2% were students. The average scores of students' motor activity during the research period were determined and the dynamics of the indicator were studied in distance learning conditions, depending on gender. It was established that regardless of gender, in 2020 there was a sharp decrease in the physical activity of students of higher education institutions due to quarantine restrictions. In 2021, student youth adapted to the difficult conditions of life and the level of their motor activity increased to the indicators of 2019. At the same time, the beginning of hostilities on the territory of the country was marked by a significant decrease in motor activity, which, unfortunately, continues. Despite a similar trend in the dynamics of motor activity, in 2023, the assessment of motor activity did not differ statistically significantly (p>0.05) compared to 2022, and in female students it decreased statistically significantly (p<0.05). It was determined that the share of students with signs of hypodynamia against the background of continuing distance learning and deteriorating living conditions is increasing and in 2023 reached 43.1% among male students and 60.1% among female students. Consequently, adverse living conditions in general and distance learning in particular increase the risk of developing hypodynamia in students of higher education. It is necessary to develop and implement measures aimed at overcoming the negative tendency to decrease the physical activity of students of higher education.