R.A. Gainullin¹
Dr.Biol., Professor A.P. Isaev²
Associate Professor R. Ya. Abzalilov^1
1Bashkir State Medical University, Russian Ministry of Health, Ufa
²South Ural State University (SRU), Chelyabinsk

Keywords: physical fitness, functionality, total body dimensions, special health group, functionality tests, strength endurance.

Introduction. When assessing the levels of man’s overall physical fitness and physical health, it is quantitative indicators of aerobic endurance, characterized by minute blood volume and maximal oxygen consumption, that are of the greatest importance. The higher the maximal oxygen consumption value, the higher the levels of physical development and physical health [8].

The overall physiological orientation on health improvement during exercise consists in effective adaptation. In particular, the maximum capabilities of the body functional system are improved, tension in the work of the bodily organs and systems is reduced [4], efficiency and threshold value of motor activity increase in accordance with age, gender and adaptability.

Student age is a determining physiological age in realization of man’s functional capabilities, improvement of work efficiency when reaching the training orientation threshold [3]. This becomes possible with a gradual (adequate) increase of loads of individual orientation [5] and focused development of local-regional muscle endurance.

Applicants to become medical university students are characterized by the low aerobic capabilities, low psychophysiological potential, low physical fitness level, and inadequate responses to the functional tests [11]. The special health group students’ indicators help determine the morphological basis of a violation, effects of genetic factors, peculiarities of physique, physical development and muscular system that provides vital activity [6].

Objective of the study was to substantiate the possibility of using technologies that would develop local-regional muscle endurance in students with different levels of morphofunctional state and physical fitness.

Methods and structure of the study. Subject to the study were the university students with the body heights over 180 cm, 170-179 cm, 169 cm and under. The studied indicators are presented in Table 1.

The morphofunctional indicators and physical fitness level were determined by the generally accepted methods used in morphometry, theory and methodology of physical education [1, 9]. The data from the mass surveys of the students, conducted by the group of authors led by Professor A.P. Isaev [10], were used as the control.

Results and discussion. Analyzing the students’ total body dimensions, one should note a significant decrease in the body weight relative to the body length (p<0.05-0.001). The variability of the indicators was predominantly stable. The body mass index (BMI) values were 21.89±0.19, 24.30±0.39, and 21.76±0.32 kg/m², respectively. It can be seen that the special health group students with the average total body dimensions had a supernutrition status. This required timely adjustments to their diet and motor activity. The systolic blood pressure values exceeded the reference limits or approached the upper normal ones. These data indicated intense myocardial functioning. At the same time, the diastolic blood pressure values were within the reference limits, thus characterizing the physiological range of vascular functioning. The orthostatic test results were within the upper reference limits for the tall subjects and those with the average height, the limits exceeded the normal range for the students of small stature.

It can be assumed that dysregulation and imbalance between HR and stroke volume were due to the orthostatic effects. The students' overall endurance depended on their total body dimensions.

The speed test (100 m run) revealed a tendency towards improvement of performance efficiency depending on the body length and weight.

To evaluate the cardiorespiratory system functionality, we calculated the Skibinski circulatory-respiratory coefficient, which increased with the increase in the total body dimensions (p<0.01-0.001) and was at the level of low ratings. These results allowed for the conclusion that the subjects’ cardiopulmonary system reserves were insufficient and required the corrective and preventive treatment. The strength endurance values were relatively stable (six mixed push-ups, abdominal crunches, pull-ups). The variability of physical fitness indicators was predominantly stable. This was evidenced by the hand dynamometry test rates displayed in the students with the high and average body length (p<0.05) as compared to the students of small stature (p<0.01).

The results of the study conducted in the main group are presented in Table 1.

The total body dimensions in three groups of students differed significantly (p<0.01). The systolic blood pressure was stable in all studied groups, while the diastolic one increased in the students with the average height and decreased in those of small stature (p<0.01). The orthostatic test rates were within the reference limits. The speed values did not differ significantly in all three groups, but their overall endurance improved statistically significantly with the decrease in the total body dimensions. The Skibinski index was significantly lower in the students of small stature and its values were below the reference limits. It can be assumed that dysregulation of the cardiopulmonary system was also characteristic of the main group students. The speed-strength test rates were low, while the strength endurance ones were high, although decreasing depending on the total body dimensions.

Table 2 presents the data obtained in the group of students attending 2 physical education classes per week. These classes were conducted alternately, and one training session in the strength training hall aimed to develop local-regional muscle endurance was carried out with the use of stretching exercises, game and cross-country motor activity. The comparative analysis conducted in May revealed some physiological changes in the body weight. Moreover, BMI in May amounted to 21.97, 22.33, and 21.76 kg/cm² in accordance with the total body dimensions. The data obtained indicated the normal nutritional status of the subjects. The HR responses to orthostasis were within the reference limits. The overall endurance indices increased significantly (p<0.01-0.001). The speed indicators in the students with the average and small body length had a tendency to change, so did Skibinski index (p<0.05) and stroke volume (p<0.05-0.01).

When comparing the hand dynamometry test data, the values obtained in the students with increased motor activity (p<0.05-0.01) were found to be significantly higher. The objective assessment of the effectiveness of physical education in MEI revealed the low and average levels of physical fitness, dysregulation of individual functions in the main group. We registered the low level of development of overall endurance, being the basis of wellness programs. However, physical exercises could be beneficial in terms of their scientifically substantiated and methodically correct use. Moreover, aerobic exercises that have a physiological impact on the level of physical fitness, physical development and functionality [2, 4, 8] are more effective.

Conclusions. The data obtained in the special health group help determine the morphological basis of the shifts, influence of genetic factors, peculiarities of physique, physical development and muscular system providing vital activity We detected the imbalance in the functionality indicators, low level of physical fitness, inadequate reactions to the functional tests (orthostatic test, Skibinski index).