Dynamics of the Physical Fitness and Circumference Sizes of Body Parts as a Motivation for Self-Improvement and Self-Control in Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the increase in indicators of physical qualities and circumference sizes of the body in students as a motivational component of physical self-improvement. Research data: During the study, an “individual portfolio for self-control of students’ physical condition” was developed for students from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography. The formative assessment involved 60 second-year students (30 males and 30 females) from the Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University. During the year, a 5-stage control was performed to record changes in students’ physical condition. At the end of the formative assessment, the proposed hypotheses were checked, and the findings were preliminarily summarized. To achieve the set goal, the following research methods were used: literature analysis, self-description of physical development, physiological methods, anthropometric methods, pedagogical testing of physical fitness and mathematical statistics. Findings: The revealed dynamics of deterioration of the physical fitness starting from the second year determined the selection of the second-year students for the formative assessment. During this assessment, physical education was aimed at managing the physical condition not only by teachers but also by the students themselves. The theory of reflection formed the basis of the developed “individual portfolio for selfcontrol of students’ physical condition.” Self-control by physical fitness in students was based on the principles of the control theory (cybernetics). The organizational and methodological conditions for the physical training of second-year students were adapted to build effective management (through the 5-stage control) of the students’ physical condition. Specifically, more attention was paid to special methodical classes. The criteria for assessing the physical condition in students involved the dynamics of physical development, functional status, physical health, motivation to physical activity and physical training classes. The growth and improvement of all physical condition indicators in students were reliably established during the academic year. Significant improvements were achieved by females (the level of their physical health improved from low to medium). Whereas changes in males were not significant. In the self-assessment of students, the following regularity was established: the more second-year students are aware of the methods of self-control over their physical condition, the better they assess their level of knowledge in managing their physical condition, the more motivated they are to continue to keep a check list and improve their physical performance.