Developing SOFT SKILLS through athletics and cyclic types of physical activity – opportunities, challenges, prospects

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of soft skills and their role in the training of future specialists in physical education and sports through athletics and cyclic types of physical activity. Objective. To determine the peculiarities of the formation of soft skills in future specialists in physical culture and sports through traditional and health-improving cyclic physical activities. Methods. Analysis of scientific and methodological sources and regulatory documents, as well as a survey of 58 students, was conducted to assess the impact of athletics and cyclic types of physical activity on the formation of key soft skills. Based on the recommendations of the World Economic Forum in Davos, soft skills have been mapped onto the educational components of sports-pedagogical programs, which include: a block for the development of cognitive abilities; a block for the development of activity-related abilities; and a block for the development of personal abilities. This set of soft skills blocks can be defined as the “responsibility zone” of sports science, which encompasses the training of physical education and sports professionals. It is recommended to use various combinations when developing soft skills: work in the gym, athletics arena, sports ground, stadium, e-learning, and project-based activities (practical, social, etc.). Research Object: Professional training of specialists in the field of “A Education.” Research Subject: Formation of soft skills in students–future specialists in physical education and sports–through athletics and cyclic types of physical activity. Purpose: To identify the features of forming soft skills in future physical education and sports professionals by means of traditional and health-oriented cyclic motor activities. The purpose, object, and subject of the study determined the following tasks: to examine the main theoretical approaches to the concept of soft skills; based on a theoretical and methodological analysis of the stated problem, to develop recommendations for the development of soft skills through athletics and cyclic types of physical activity for students and future sports educators. Conclusions. The results confirm that the targeted use of athletics and cyclic types of physical activity in the educational process provides practical tools for the effective formation of key soft skills in future physical education and sports professionals and increases their readiness for professional activity. The study employed general and specific research methods: analysis, synthesis, classification of scientific literature facts, surveys, and methods of mathematical statistics.