THE LEVEL OF PSYCHOPHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CADETS ENGAGED IN ORIENTEERING COMPARED TO REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER SPORTS

Aim. To examine the level of psychophysical development of cadets who were engaged in orienteering during their training compared to cadets who were engaged in other sports. Tasks: 1) to find out the attitude of cadets to orienteering during their training; 2) to conduct a comparative analysis of the level of development of motor skills in cadets who were engaged in orienteering and cadets who were engaged in other sports. Materials and methods. The research involved 346 male cadets aged 20-22 years. Of these, 32 cadets were engaged in orienteering and 314 cadets were engaged in other sports. Research methods: theoretical analysis and generalization of literary sources and Internet data, questionnaires, testing the level of development of motor skills, and methods of mathematical statistics. The level of psychophysical development was investigated by the results of the following tests: 100 m run, pull-ups, exercise on the combined-arms obstacle course (12 obstacles, 400 m), 3 km run, 5 km accelerated march, 6x100 m shuttle run. Results. It was found that more than 95 % of cadets noted that the qualities and skills developed and formed during orienteering training sessions are professionally important for every serviceman. The comparative analysis of the level of development of motor skills in cadets who were engaged in orienteering and other sports showed a positive effect of orienteering on improving the level of cadets’ psychophysical development. The results of the cadets engaged in orienteering were significantly better in most tests, except for the representatives of polyathlon and military pentathlon, where the test exercises are competitive. The most pronounced effect of orienteering training was found on cadets’ endurance. Conclusions. This suggests that orienteering training has a positive effect on improving the level of cadets’ psychophysical development, which will contribute to the effectiveness of their future professional and combat activities. Moreover, unlike other sports, orienteering is an effective means not only of developing cadets’ motor skills but also of forming military-applied skills in orienteering in unfamiliar terrain and quick decision-making skills against the background of high mental and physical stress.