Use of Modern Rapid Assessment Methods in Schools to Improve the Physical Health of Children Aged 10–12 Years

The health of school-age children in Russia has been declining for the past three decades, producing a negative impact on public health indicators as well as limiting the state’s development potential and slowing down its economic growth. The purpose of this article was to observe the dynamics of the functional state of secondary school children when using modern rapid assessment methods in the educational process. Materials and methods. The research involved 40 boys aged 10–12 years with approximately the same level of health studying in the fifth and sixth forms at Sergei Tkachev School No. 32 (Tolyatti, Russia). The sample was divided into the main group (n = 20) and the comparison group (n = 20). The curriculum of both groups included physical education (PE) classes (four academic hours per week). In the main group, for two academic hours per week the standard programme was replaced with a health improvement programme. Rapid Health Assessment Method and the screening computer program Rapid Health Assessment Method for Schoolchildren were applied; Varikard 2.51 equipment was used to analyse heart rate variability. Results. The data obtained indicate that the application of modern rapid assessment methods in the educational process helps to improve the physical health and functional state as well as optimize health indices and adaptation processes of schoolchildren. Their level of physical health increases, while indicators of health problems decrease. In view of the ongoing informatization of the educational process and increasing academic load, developing PE programmes for schoolchildren with different levels of health becomes critical for controlling their health and adaptation.