Analysis of Physical Condition of First-Year Military Higher Education Institution Cadets

The purpose of the study was to determine the dynamics of anthropometric and functional indicators of the physical condition of first-year cadets over three years (from 2019 to 2021). Materials and methods. 152 cadets from Ivan Kozhedub Air Force National University were involved in the experiment. The age of participants was from 17 to 22 years. All cadets were informed about the experiment and gave their consent. Anthropometric (measurement of anthropometric data) and medical-biological (rhythm inversion, electromanometry) methods of investigation were used to determine the assessment of the cadets’ physical condition. A highly informative method – the assessment of O. Pirogova index was used for analysis of the cadets’ physical condition. Pirogova physical condition index is a complex indicator based on the heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, age, body weight, and body height. Statistical analysis of the results was carried out using the EXCEL tables. The data was analyzed using Student’s test, p less than 0.05 was considered the level of significance. Results and discussion. The results of the study showed that the mean values of the anthropometric and functional indicators of the first-year cadets have not been changed statistically significant over three years. The exception is the difference in the average value of systolic blood pressure of control group 1 and control group 3 representatives, which is statistically reliable (p <0.05). Current anthropometric indicators of cadets obtained during the experiment confirmed the data available in the scientific and methodological literature about the anthropometric indicators of candidates for training in higher military educational institutions of Ukraine. The Pirogova physical condition index calculating showed the following average values of the Pirogova physical condition index: control group 1 – 0.704 points, control group 2 – 0.688 points, control group 3 – 0.671 points. However, the results of the study show a statistically significant deterioration of the Pirogova physical condition index of the 2021 recruitment cadets by 4.7% compared to the representatives of 2019. The comparative analysis of the first-year cadets' physical condition assessments demonstrates a gradual, significant decrease in the number of “high” physical condition ratings: 12% among control group 1 cadets (2019 year of recruitment); 9% among control group 2 representatives (2020 year of recruitment) and only 3% among control group 3 cadets (2021 year of recruitment). However, over three years, the percentage of representatives with physical condition assessment rating “Lower than average” has increased significantly: 1% among cadets of control group 1 (2019 year of recruitment); 7% among cadets of control group 2 (2020 year of recruitment); 7% among representatives of control group 3 (2021 year of recruitment). Conclusion. Over the last 3 years, there has been a deterioration of the general physical condition of higher military educational institution cadets