The Impact of Martial Arts Training on Students’ Physical Fitness in the Process of Physical Education

Abstract

Abstract. The article addresses the issue of improving the level of students’ physical fitness within the process of physical education through the use of martial arts means. The relevance of the study is обусловлена by a decrease in physical activity among students and the insufficient effectiveness of traditional forms of organizing physical education classes, which necessitates the introduction of innovative pedagogical approaches. The purpose of the study is to provide a scientific substantiation of the effectiveness of martial arts training integrated into the physical education process and to determine its impact on the level of students’ physical fitness as well as the dynamics of the development of basic physical qualities. Methods. The study involved 48 students aged 18–20, who were divided into control and experimental groups. During the academic semester, the control group followed a traditional physical education program, while the experimental group participated in classes that included martial arts elements. The level of physical fitness was assessed using the following indicators: strength (push-ups), speed (100-meter run), agility (4×9 m shuttle run), and flexibility (sit-and-reach test). Results. The study revealed that the implementation of martial arts training led to statistically significant improvements in all examined indicators among students in the experimental group (p<0.01), whereas the changes in the control group were less pronounced and mostly not statistically significant. The greatest improvements in the experimental group were observed in strength, flexibility, and agility, indicating the comprehensive training effect of the proposed program. Gender-specific differences were also identified: female students demonstrated more pronounced improvements in flexibility and coordination abilities, while male students showed greater gains in strength. The obtained results confirm the effectiveness of martial arts as an innovative pedagogical tool that ensures the integrated development of physical qualities and enhances motivation for physical activity. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of implementing the developed program in the educational process of higher education institutions in order to improve the effectiveness of students’ physical education.