PROMOTION OF MASS SPORTS AMONG PENSIONERS AS A FACTOR OF HEALTH MAINTENANCE

ABSTRACT One of the key challenges for all countries is ensuring longevity and good health among the elderly. A promising solution lies in organizing physical activity programs. Mass sports offer an effective way to engage seniors in physical exercise in a format that suits their needs. The study was conducted from March to September 2024 among 80 residents of Astana, Kazakhstan, aged 61 to 74, with an equal gender distribution. Participants were divided into two groups: 40 in the control group and 40 in the experimental group. The experimental group trained with a coach three times a week on outdoor sports grounds. Before and after the intervention, individual interviews were held to assess health status and attitudes toward sports. Muscle tone, flexibility, and endurance were measured. Statistical analysis methods were used to verify the reliability of the results. "The effectiveness of health-oriented physical activity in the form of mass sports was confirmed by the following results: 88% of participants in the experimental group reported improved well-being after five months of training. In contrast, 67% of respondents in the control group noted a decline in their general health during the same period. Physical performance improved significantly in 90% of women and 95% of men who took part in the health-focused exercise program. Muscle strength increased in 65% of women and 76% of men. Endurance improved in more than half of the experimental group – 55% of women and 65% of men. Among men, 65% became noticeably more physically resilient. The range of quadriceps muscle tone increased in 66% of the experimental group, and biceps tone improved in 60%, with men showing greater gains. In contrast, testing of the control group revealed a negative trend in both muscle tone and functional capacity. The experiment clearly demonstrated that health-oriented physical activity in the form of mass sports has a positive impact on the overall physical condition of elderly individuals.