Model characteristics of the structure and interrelations of integral parameters of students' physical condition

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Understanding the physical condition parameters of students  during physical education classes is essential in the context of modern education. This understanding contributes to the development of effective teaching strategies tailored to the specific needs of this demographic. The aim of the study is to investigate the structure and interrelations of physical condition (PC) parameters of students aged 17-19 years in the process of physical education classes. Material and Methods. The study involved 153 students aged 17-19 years old, and their physical development, functional, and physical fitness indices were recorded. The study analyzed intra- and intergroup correlations among 55 physical condition (PC) indices. It examined the correlations among integral components of students' structure, including somatic health (SH), adaptation potential (AP), aerobic physical work capacity (APWC), and biological age (BA). The study utilized factor analysis, correlation analysis, dispersion analysis, and regression analysis to examine the relationships and patterns within the collected data. Results. The analysis of intra- and intergroup relationships among the studied parameters revealed that the structure of physical condition (PC) is consistent between girls and boys. There are close linear dependencies, similarities, and differences in the interrelations of integral PC parameters, including somatic health (SH), adaptation potential (AP), aerobic physical work capacity (APWC), and biological age (BA), between boys and girls. The regression model coefficients indicate that for both genders, SH is influenced by APWC and AP. In girls, AP is dependent on SH and BA, while in boys, AP depends on SH, BA, and APWC. A strong relationship between APWC and resting heart rate (HR) was identified during testing, with boys demonstrating higher levels of APWC at lower initial HR values compared to girls. Conclusions. The study has provided valuable insights into the key components of the physical condition (PC) structure among 1st-year students. These components encompass physical development, adaptation potential, health, cardiorespiratory system functional capacities, speed-strength fitness, biological age, and degree of aging. Findings emphasize the significance of resting bradycardia as an informative marker and criterion for assessing APWC during moderate-intensity muscle activity. The developed mathematical models have proven effective in modeling and predicting students' PC, including the individual integral components (SH, AP, APWC, and BA). These models provide valuable tools for anticipating potential changes in these parameters.