Application of breathing exercises in physical education classes to improve the functional state and health of higher education students

The article studies the effectiveness of using Wim Hof's breathing exercise technique in practical physical education classes to improve functional state and health, reduce anxiety and stress in higher education students. A survey was conducted on their attitude to the practice of using breathing exercises and measurements of functional indicators characterizing the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the body were carried out. The study was conducted in 2023-2024 at the Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University. 44 male students of the 1st-2nd years of study (aged 18 to 21) participated in the study. Their health status was good and satisfactory. The control (CG) and experimental (EG) groups of 22 students each were formed. Research methods: analysis and generalization of literary sources, methods of functional diagnostics, methods of mathematical statistics. It was found that students do not practice the Wim Hof’s breathing technique in physical education classes. The main positive factors of the introduction of breathing exercises are summarized, which are aimed at: reducing stress by activating the parasympathetic system, responsible for relaxation and improving the neuropsychic state; improving the functioning of the lungs and cardiovascular system and the transfer of oxygen to the blood and organs, accelerating metabolic processes; strengthening the muscles of the diaphragm and esophagus; reducing (temporary) blood acidity, which enhances the prevention and fight against infections; reducing the inflammatory process in the body and improving the functioning of the immune system, as well as reducing the risk of depression and stress. It was found that at the end of the study in the EG, unlike the CG, there was a statistically significant improvement in the indicators of the vital capacity, the Stange test, the Genchi test, the heart rate, the respiratory rate and the Rufier test. This confirms the effectiveness of the influence of breathing exercises on the functional state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the students, which will help strengthen their health and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.