THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT MOTOR ACTIVITIES AT PE LESSONS ON MYOPIA PROGRESSION

Abstract

Aim. The article deals with assessing the effect of different types of motor activity performed during physical education classes on myopia development. Materials and methods. 42 female university students aged 18 years participated in the study. All participants are characterized by acquired uncomplicated myopia. Three homogenous groups of fourteen were formed. The first group performed Nordic walking at PE classes, the second group used a fitness game (Just Dance), the third group was exempted from attending practical PE classes. All female students underwent an ophthalmic examination at the beginning and at the end of the study. The level of physical development and functional abilities of the body was established in all participants. The assessment was conducted based on the dynamics of indicators. Results. It was established that Nordic walking and lessons with a fitness game (Just Dance) did not influence significantly myopia development (р > 0.05). In the first group, myopia development was registered at the level of 0.34 diopter/year, and in the second group – 0.31 diopter/year. However, the comparison of the data obtained with those of the third group revealed a statistically significant difference (р < 0.01). Myopia development in the group exempted from attending practical PE classes was 0.75 diopter/year. Positive dynamics in motor coordination was registered in 57.1% of the first group and 64.3% of the second group. The majority of people from these groups demonstrated an increase in the indicators of the muscular strength of the leading arm and chest excursion. Moreover, more significant changes were registered for the group with a fitness game (Just Dance). The indicators of the third group remained at the same level or even worsened. Conclusion. Different types of motor activity at PE classes reduce  myopia development approximately in the same way. A negative dynamics reveled for certain indicators in the third group can be probably determined by the deficit of motor activity due to huge academic load.