Background and Study Aim. Physical activity (PA) is regarded as a critical component of a healthy lifestyle and disease prevention. Different constraints placed upon social interaction and public spaces due to COVID-19 could decrease PA and academic performance in physical education (PE) in student population. The purpose of the research was to assess overall and sport/fitness PA level and academic performance in PE in a sample of university students pre- to post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods. Participants (n=209) – university students (19-20 years old). The overall period of the research is September-December 2020. All participants (male–n=106 and female–n=103) were divided into approximately equal groups: humanities students (male–MG-1, female–FG-1), medicine students (male–MG-2, female–FG-2), technical students (male–MG-3, female–FG-3). The main research tools: modified student self-reported questionnaire (on the base of IPAQ), academic grading (scores for self-completed PE tasks). In surveys, all participants self-rated overall and sport/fitness PA level pre- to post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes. The participants had to complete 32 special PE tasks, during the research period. PE teachers rated participants by a special grading scale. Results. For the male and female students’ groups there were no significant differences of overall PA, sport/fitness PA level and academic performance in PE pre-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes. All participants significantly (p≤0.05) decreased overall PA, sport/fitness PA level and academic performance in PE post-cancellation. There was a significant (p≤0.05) large amount of overall PA level in MG-2 students and sport/fitness PA level in MG-1 students’ post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes. For the male students there were no significant differences of grading in PE pre- to post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes between participants groups. There was a significant (p≤0.05) large amount of overall PA level post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes in FG-2 students. There was a significantly (p≤0.05) lower amount of sport/fitness PA level post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes in FG-3 students. There was a significant drop in mean grading scores in PE post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes in students. FG-2 participants had significantly (p≤0.05) higher grading scores in PE post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes. Conclusions. The universities closure and cancellation of face-to-face PE classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic decreased overall PA, sport/fitness PA level and academic performance in PE in all participants. It is important to note that the proportional decrease in overall PA for the male students was actually large, then decrease in overall PA for the female students was less. The findings highlight the need for active interventions of PA promotion targeted at the student population in the context of self-isolation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: A significant volume of data on the level of physical activity and health of male students presents at the literature. Scientists use the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to collect data. Scientists point to the need to use objective practical tests that complement the IPAQ data. The purpose of the research is to search for objective data on the level of physical activity of undergraduate male students receiving education in Russian Federation. Material: Participants – male students (n=205, age-19-20 years). The period of research is March-April 2019. Students were divided into groups: G-1 – students (n=127) who did not have proof of their physical activity in sports and fitness, G-2 – students (n=78) who had provided confirmation. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in its extended version assessing four domains of activity, which was supplemented with original questions regarding perceived physical fitness (high, moderate, low) and favorite physical activity in sports and fitness was used in research. Students' physical fitness profile testing is performed using Functional fitness assessment tests. The collected data were analysed using SPSS20. Physical fitness test results were compared by using Mann-Whitney U–test. Results: The IPAQ data indicate a significant (P<0.001) advantage of students (G-2) in total physical activity. Students (G-1) have a significant (P<0.01) advantage in the volume of physical activity at work. The volume of physical activity in sports and fitness is significantly higher (P<0.001) for students (G-2). Functional fitness tests showed a insufficient level of physical fitness of students (G-1 and G-2). The results indicate a significant (P<0.01) advantage of students (G-2) in physical profile. Conclusions: Russian male students have more total physical activity than male students from African countries, Turkey, Iran, and Ukraine, but have a significantly low total physical activity level than students from some European countries. The total physical activity volume of Russian university male students is slightly less than the recommended by experts (6000 minutes per week or more). The volume of validated physical activity in sports and fitness of Russian students is about 39 minutes per day. The level of physical fitness of Russian male students does not fully comply with the Functional fitness assessment tests targets. A large proportion of sports and fitness physical activity has a significant impact on the results of functional fitness tests. Data on favorite types of physical activity of Russian male students show a preference for young men to physically dominate their peers. Health preservation and health care are not the main aim of students.

Background. Experts note the low level of physical fitness of female students. Fitness programs that balance the development of cardiorespiratory and strength fitness level are necessary in the physical education practice of students. The purpose of this study is to compare effectiveness of two exercise programs in terms of strength endurance and cardiorespiratory of female students in physical education. Material and Methods. Female students (n=36) practicing fitness–aerobics (G–1) and resistance training (G–2) participated in the research. All students participated in 52 training sessions. The students (G–1) practiced step aerobics with strength training combination. The students (G–2) practiced resistance training with Kangoo–Jumps fitness combination. The level of cardiorespiratory and strength fitness was studied using tests: VC, Stange test, Step test (PWC170), Running test, Push–Up test and others. Results. Students (G–1) had a reliable advantage in test results: VC, Stange test, Step test (PWC170), Running test, at the research beginning. Students (G–2) showed significantly better results in tests: Burpee test, Push–Up test and Stange test at the end of research. Reliable differences in tests: Plank test and Heart Rate in favor of female students (G–2) were revealed. The results of other functional tests did not differ significantly. Conclusions. The possible effectiveness of aerobic fitness training Kangoo–Jumps in resistance training of female students was discovered. A significant increase in the indicators of strength endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness of young women was revealed.

Background: During the spread of COVID-19, the need for scientifically based methodological assistance to students when walking and running was most evident in order to improve optimal body functions and maintain health. The aim of the study was to develop a program for monitoring students' walking and running according to the system "10,000 steps a day" during the spread of COVID-19 and to prove its effectiveness through improving body mass index and improving physical health. Study participants: students regardless of gender (n = 114). Interventions: The pedagogical research was carried out for 4 months. During the experiment, the students of the experimental group (n = 71) carried out self-monitoring of aerobic physical activity, consisting of walking and running, using the author's program according to the principle of "10,000 steps per day" in daily, weekly and monthly cycles. The study used diagnostics of general physical health, the level of functional readiness to perform loads and body mass index. Main outcome measures. The effectiveness of the implementation of the author's program for monitoring aerobic physical activity of students is statistically significant at p < .01 and p < .05. The implementation of the author's model of independent walking and running is effective only under the condition of systematic fulfilment of aerobic physical loads. Findings. The obtained research data showed that during the period of the spread of COVID-19, an active lifestyle of students, including daily walking and running, is possible and effective for physical health and the prevention of overweight.

The importance of evaluating the physical fitness of future police officers cannot be underestimated. Ideal physical training program must include targeting aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, muscular strength and endurance. The aim of the study: investigate the impact of two additional supervised 16-week physical fitness training programs (mixed (jumping + strength endurance) workout and CrossFit training) aimed at female police cadets. Participants: relatively healthy young female (n=28) – cadets had similar indicators of physical fitness and workability. Total time of physical training – 64 hours during 16 weeks (basic workouts – 48 hours, additional workouts – 16 hours). Group 1 (n=14) practiced additional CrossFit training. Group 2 (n=14) practiced mixed additional workout (jumping + strength endurance). Tests used to evaluate the physical fitness and workability were the following: Push–Up test, Plank test, Running test, Burpee test, Step test (PWC170), test with 30 throws. The overall positive dynamics of study results shows an increase of workability for all study participants. A reliable (p≤0.05) advantage of participants (group 2) in testing workability results (Burpee test and PWC170) was found. Experts agree that the most effective physical training programs for cadets and police officers will be combinations of intensive cardiorespiratory and strength workout. A positive impact of additional mixed (jumping + strength endurance) workout on the workability of female cadets was found. Such functional workout can be an effective alternative to CrossFit training in physical training curriculum of female police cadets

Being overweight or obese has serious health consequences for children. Schools use different physical education (PE) programs for obesity prevention in children, but the overall impact of school-based interventions is questionable. This study investigated the effects of functional/motor training intervention on physical fitness performance and body mass index (BMI) of overweight primary schoolchildren (boys aged 7-8 years). Sixty-four boys (mean age – 7.64±0.48 years), who had overweight, participated in this study. All subjects practiced 44 PE classes (September–December 2021). Control group (G1 – n=32) performed standard curriculum PE during the study. Experimental group (G2 – n=32) performed sixteen-week functional/motor intervention in PE classes. This intervention program had high intensity movements, based on basic motor skills. Subjects' height, weight, BMI, and physical fitness: push-up test, running sprint test, standing long jump test (SLJ), seat-and-reach test (SRT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT), were assessed before and after intervention. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences between both groups in physical fitness and BMI values in post-intervention period. Children (G2), who practiced functional/motor training intervention, demonstrated a higher performance values in special physical tests, except for SRT. Children (G2) demonstrated a significantly (p < 0.05) lower values in BMI measurement in post-intervention period. A sixteen-week functional/motor training intervention in PE classes is effective to increase physical fitness performance and BMI correction in overweight primary schoolchildren (boys aged 7-8 years). Incorporation of different functional/motor trainings in PE curriculum could be an effective as part of obesity prevention in primary schoolchildren.

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