Physical activity and students' health: current status, problems and prospects

The article examines the current state of physical activity and health of higher education students. The purpose of the study is to determine the role of physical activity in improving students' health: analysis of the current state, identification of problems and promising directions for solutions. To achieve the purpose of the study and solve the problems, the following research methods were used: theoretical (analysis, synthesis, generalization, systematization), sociological research methods, pedagogical research methods, methods of assessing physical activity (Framingham study methodology), methods of assessing physical health (express health assessment methodology by G. L. Apanasenko), methods of mathematical statistics. Research results. It was established that the insufficient level of physical activity among students is one of the main reasons for the decline in their physical health. The largest number of students has an average level of physical activity, which confirms the tendency towards insufficient activity in everyday life. The percentage of boys with a high level of activity is higher than that of female students. The level of low activity is more often recorded in female students, which may indicate a lower interest in regular physical activity. The results of the study indicate the prevalence of low and below average levels of health among students. At the same time, 37.5% of boys were found to have an average level of health, while this figure is only 25.0% among girls. Only a small proportion of students demonstrate a safe level of health: 20.0% of boys and 12.5% of girls. Conclusions. The main problems of the insufficient level of physical activity of students are seen in the unformed motivation of students to systematic physical activity, their insufficient awareness of the impact of physical activity on health and quality of life, limited or ineffective physical education and health services provided by higher education institutions.