SCANDINAVIAN WALKING AS ONE OF THE MEANS OF INFLUENCE ON THE HEALTH LEVEL OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

Introduction. Nordic or Scandinavian walking has gained great popularity as a universal form of physical activity, available to people of all ages and levels of physical fitness. This is a type of sports walking with the use of special sticks, which combines elements of cardio and strength training, which makes it extremely useful for general health. Studies have shown that Nordic walking has a positive effect on the cardiovascular, locomotor systems and general physical condition of a person.

The aim of the study – to reveal the impact of Nordic (Scandinavian) walking on the health and physical condition of schoolchildren.

The main part. The article presents the results of research into the impact of Nordic walking on the health of high school students. 52 eleventh-grade students aged 16–17 took part in the study. The students were conditionally divided into two relatively homogeneous groups (by age and physical development): an experimental group (boys n=13; girls n=13) and a control group (boys n=12; girls n=14). There were no differences in indicators between schoolchildren of the control and experimental groups (p>0.05). The experimental group of girls and boys practiced according to the developed method of classes using the means of Nordic walking. According to the plan, before the beginning and at the end of the educational process, students were asked to pass control tests to assess the level of physical health, functional state and physical fitness. The analysis of entrance testing showed that schoolchildren had relatively the same level of physical health, functional status and physical fitness. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed. At the end of the study, after using the means of Nordic walking, both boys and girls in the experimental group improved the indicators of the level of physical health.

Conclusions. The obtained indicators of the level of physical health prove the effectiveness of using the means of Nordic walking in physical culture lessons with high school students. This indicates a positive increase in indicators in the control and, accordingly, in the experimental groups, but a more pronounced increase was noted in the indicators of the experimental group. These results will contribute to the improvement of physical education of schoolchildren, which will strengthen health, increase the level of functional state of body systems and physical fitness.