MOTIVES AND INTERESTS OF STUDENTS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The article presents the results of a study of students' motives and interests in physical education, which play a key role in forming of an active lifestyle in young people and affect their health, psychological well-being and social relationships. A literature review and an anonymous survey of 222 students from various Ukrainian higher educational institutions were conducted to identify the main reasons why young people engage in physical activity. The results of the study showed that the most significant motivations are students' desire to improve their physical condition (71.6%), improve their health (59%) and commitment to exercise (69.8%), which indicates the importance of physical education for improving physical condition and overall wellness. It is also noted that physical activity has a positive effect on psychological health, in particular, it reduces stress, improves mood and energy levels, and helps to increase self-confidence. Special attention is focused on social aspects: physical education promotes the formation of new social relationships and improves communication skills through participation in team sports and competitions. In addition, students note the impact of classes on self-realisation, discipline and self-control, which indicates their importance for personal development. Although such motives as the desire to receive positive grades (43.7%) and to build a beautiful figure (33.3%) are less significant, they also play a role in the overall motivation of students to participate in physical activities. The importance of developing effective physical education programmes aimed at satisfying the various students' requirements has been proved, which will help increase their physical activity and overall health.