Eduard Yeromenko - Professor of the Department of Special Disciplines and Organization of Professional Training; Valeriy Vekhtev. Combat Horting and Medical and Physiological Factors of Self-Control Among Students During Training


 
Excerpt from the Research Program of Professor Eduard Yeromenko
Professor, Department of Special Disciplines and Organization of Professional Training,
Faculty of Training, Retraining and Advanced Qualification of Tax Police Officers,
University of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine
Academic and Professional Qualifications: PhD in Pedagogical Sciences; Honored Worker of Physical Culture and Sports of Ukraine; International Class Master of Sports of Ukraine; Honored Coach of Ukraine; Founder of Horting; President, World Horting Federation.
Professional Fellowships and Memberships: Fellow, European Scientific Society of Ukraine (UESU) — since 2017; Fellow, International Union of Martial Arts (IUMA) — since 2013; Professional Member, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM); Professional Member, National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA); Individual Member, International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP)

Title of the scientific article: Combat Horting and Medical and Physiological Factors of Self-Control of Schoolchildren and Students During Exercise in the Training Process
Bibliographic Information
Title of the Publishing Source:
Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine; Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University
 
Yeromenko, E., & Vekhtev, V. (2021). Combat horting and medical and physiological factors of self-control of schoolchildren and students during exercise in the training process. Scientific Notes: Series: Pedagogical Sciences, 194, 106–115. https://doi.org/10.36550/2415-7988-2021-1-194-106-115
Author/Authors and Affiliations
Eduard Yeromenko
Eduard Yeromenko
PhD in Pedagogical Sciences,
Professor at the Department of Special Disciplines and Organization of Professional Training, University of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine;
Honored Coach of Ukraine.
ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8162-7539
E-mail:
world.horting@gmail.com
Valeriy Vekhtev
Valeriy Vekhtev
President of the Kirovohrad Regional Federation of Combat Horting of Ukraine;
Vice President and Head of the Disciplinary Board of the National Federation of Combat Horting of Ukraine.
ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3597-8829
E-mail:
horting.bexteb@gmail.com
Abstract / Brief Description:
The aim of this study is to determine the medical and physiological indicators of self-control during physical activity in combat horting training and to provide scientific substantiation of the positive effects of combat horting on the development of physical culture, health promotion, and the formation of healthy lifestyle values among schoolchildren and students.
The theoretical analysis of scientific literature made it possible to identify the main risk factors associated with human behavioral patterns and their potential impact on health, including unhealthy habits, insufficient physical activity, high-calorie diets with low nutritional value, and sleep disorders. The study examines the classification of the effects of physical exercises on combat horting practitioners, considering the following characteristics: exercise intensity, age category, sex, and the predominant development of volitional qualities, including purposefulness, initiative, independence, persistence, discipline, determination, endurance, organization, diligence, courage, and bravery.
Protocols for recording the effects of physical activity and active recovery exercises on the level of physical fitness, health status, and mental performance of schoolchildren and students engaged in combat horting were developed and analyzed. The results obtained after sports and recreational activities, educational discussions, and training sessions contribute to further identifying effective means of using combat horting for physical education, health improvement, and the formation of healthy lifestyle values among students.
Keywords: combat horting; medical and physiological indicators; self-control; physical activity; physical exercises; human body; schoolchildren; students; heart rate; blood pressure; recovery methods.
Year of Publication: 2021
Bibliographic Identifiers; DOI (Digital Object Identifier); UDC (Universal Decimal Classification):
UDC: 37.015.31:614:796.817–057.87(043.3)
DOI: 10.36550/2415-7988-2021-1-194-106-115
Educational Description of the Scientific Article The following text provides an English-language description of the article's main concepts, methodology, findings, and practical applications for coaches, athletes, and physical education professionals. It is intended as an informative summary rather than a literal translation of the original publication:
Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief:
Volodymyr F. Cherkasov, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief:
Nataliia S. Savchenko, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
Managing Secretary:
Svitlana V. Kulikova, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, Senior Lecturer, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
Editorial Board Members:
  • Yaroslav V. Haleta, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
  • N. Davydovych, Professor, University Center Samaria, Ariel, Israel.
  • Olena V. Yezhova, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
  • E. Zhatan, Professor, University of Gdańsk, Poland.
  • Nataliia A. Kalinichenko, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
  • Agnieszka Klim-Klimaszewska, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Republic of Poland.
  • Iryna I. Kostikova, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, H. S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
  • Volodymyr V. Radul, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
  • Olena S. Radul, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
  • Ostenda O., Professor, Silesian University of Technology, Katowice, Poland.
  • Anatolii M. Rastrigina, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
  • Liudmyla T. Riabovol, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
  • Liudmyla O. Savchenko, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
  • Mykola I. Sadovyi, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.
  • Serhii I. Shandruk, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine.

 
Statement and Rationale of the Relevance of the Problem
Knowledge of the structure of the human body, the regularities of functioning of individual tissues, organs, and physiological systems, as well as the specific characteristics of physiological processes underlying vital activity, is essential for physical education instructors in higher education institutions, coaches, athletes, and all individuals involved in combat horting and health-oriented physical activity. Such knowledge enables the optimization of the physical development process by considering training objectives, individual characteristics, and the specific needs of individuals engaged in physical exercises [1–7; 14–18].
Self-control of a combat horting athlete is defined as the systematic application of a set of simple methods for independent monitoring of changes in health status and physical development resulting from participation in combat horting training. Through self-observation, an athlete gains the ability to independently monitor and regulate the training process. In addition, self-control has significant educational and pedagogical value, as it encourages athletes to engage in systematic observation and evaluation of their own health condition, as well as to analyze the effectiveness of applied training methods.
Self-control serves as an important complement to medical supervision; however, it cannot replace professional medical assessment. Self-monitoring data can provide valuable assistance to instructors and coaches in adjusting training loads, while also helping medical professionals accurately interpret observed changes in an athlete’s health status and physical development.
Physical education instructors, coaches, and physicians should explain to athletes the importance of regular self-control for strengthening health, properly structuring the educational and training process, and improving athletic performance. They should recommend appropriate monitoring methods and explain how specific self-observation indicators (for example, sleep quality, heart rate, and body weight) should change under properly organized training conditions and in cases of training or lifestyle disruptions [13].
In cooperation with medical professionals, instructors and coaches should ensure that athletes develop a correct understanding of changes in various physiological functions of the body resulting from physical exertion. Athletes should be warned against making premature conclusions when deviations appear in self-monitoring indicators, since incorrect interpretations may lead to inappropriate training adjustments or the development of psychological self-suggestion regarding health conditions that are not actually present.
It is important to explain to athletes that any deviations identified through self-control require consultation with a physician, instructor, or coach before making decisions regarding changes in training activities.
Analysis of Recent Research and Publications
The theoretical foundations of athletes’ educational and training activities, the development of physical culture, and the formation of health-related values among schoolchildren and university students have been addressed in the works of B. Ananiev, Sh. Amonashvili, V. Aseev, L. Bozhovich, L. Vygotsky, M. Zubaliy, I. Zyazyun, E. Ilyin, H. Kostyuk, V. Kornieiev, A. Markova, V. Orzhekhovska, K. Platonov, A. Puni, S. Rubinstein, P. Rudyk, B. Teplov, T. Fedorchenko, and other researchers.
Their studies examine general patterns of personality development under the influence of environmental factors and education; personality-oriented methodological approaches; philosophical concepts regarding the social nature of human activity and the active role of the individual in personal development; as well as psychological and pedagogical principles of personality formation and the dialectical unity of personal development through involvement in various types of activities.
Significant contributions to the study of physical activity self-control during training sessions among schoolchildren and university students have been made by the works of I. Bekh, V. Vekhtev, Z. Dikhtiarenko, N. Dovhan, S. Zhevaha, M. Zubaliy, V. Ivashkovskyi, O. Ostapenko, M. Tymchyk, and others.
However, within the existing scientific and methodological literature, recommendations provided by specialists regarding the development of physical culture and health education among young people (M. Brychyn, P. Rudyk, V. Selyvanov) primarily focus on general sports activities. These approaches often do not sufficiently consider age-related characteristics and do not provide a comprehensive methodology for self-control during training, physical culture development, and health education among school and university students within educational institutions [8; 12].
Problem Statement and Rationale for the Relevance of the Study
Knowledge of human anatomy, the principles governing the functioning of individual tissues, organs, and physiological systems, as well as the characteristics of vital physiological processes, is essential for physical education faculty members in higher education institutions, coaches, athletes, and all individuals involved in Combat Horting and health-oriented physical activity. Such knowledge enables the optimization of the physical development process while considering training objectives and the individual characteristics of participants engaged in physical exercise [1–7; 14–18].
Self-control among Combat Horting athletes is defined as the systematic application of a set of simple methods aimed at independently monitoring changes in health status and physical development under the influence of Combat Horting training. Through self-observation, athletes are able to regulate and evaluate their training process independently. Furthermore, self-control has significant educational and pedagogical value, as it encourages athletes to develop skills of monitoring and assessing their own health condition, analyzing training methods, and understanding the physiological responses of their bodies to physical loads.
Self-control serves as an important supplement to medical supervision; however, it cannot replace professional medical assessment. Data obtained through self-monitoring provide valuable assistance to instructors and coaches in regulating training loads and help medical professionals correctly interpret changes in athletes’ health status and physical development indicators.
Physical education instructors, coaches, and physicians should explain the importance of regular self-control for maintaining health, developing an effective educational and training process, and improving athletic performance. They should recommend appropriate monitoring methods and explain how specific indicators of self-observation (such as sleep quality, heart rate, and body weight) should change under properly structured training conditions and in cases of training regimen violations [13].
Instructors and coaches, together with medical specialists, must ensure that athletes correctly understand the physiological changes occurring in the body as a result of physical exertion. Athletes should be cautioned against making premature conclusions based on deviations in self-monitoring indicators, since incorrect interpretations may lead to improper training adjustments or unnecessary psychological concerns regarding health conditions that may not actually exist.
It is important to emphasize that when abnormal self-control indicators are detected, athletes should consult a physician, instructor, or coach before making decisions regarding changes in their training program.
Analysis of Recent Research and Publications
The theoretical foundations of athletes’ educational and training activities, the development of physical culture, and the formation of health-related values among schoolchildren and university students have been examined in the works of B. Ananiev, S. Amonashvili, V. Aseev, L. Bozhovich, L. Vygotsky, M. Zubaliy, I. Zyazyun, E. Ilyin, G. Kostyuk, V. Kornyeyev, A. Markova, V. Orzhehovska, K. Platonov, A. Puni, S. Rubinstein, P. Rudyk, B. Teplov, T. Fedorchenko, and other researchers.
Their studies address general patterns of personality development under the influence of environmental and educational factors, personality-oriented methodological approaches, philosophical concepts regarding the social nature of human activity, and the active role of individuals in their own development. These works also highlight psychological and pedagogical principles of personality formation, emphasizing the dialectical unity between personal development and participation in various forms of activity.
Significant contributions to the study of physical load self-control during training activities among schoolchildren and university students have been made by I. Bekh, V. Vekhtev, Z. Dikhtiarenko, N. Dovhan, S. Zhevaha, M. Zubaliy, V. Ivashkovskyi, O. Ostapenko, M. Tymchyk, and others.
However, existing scientific and methodological literature regarding the development of physical culture and health education among young people (M. Brykhtsyn, P. Rudyk, V. Selivanov) primarily focuses on general sports activities and, in most cases, does not sufficiently consider age-related characteristics. Furthermore, these studies do not provide a comprehensive methodology for self-control during training, physical culture education, and health promotion among school-aged and university-aged populations within educational institutions [8; 12].
Aim of the Study
The aim of this study is to identify and scientifically substantiate the factors of self-control among schoolchildren and university students during Combat Horting training activities.
Presentation of the Main Research Material
During Combat Horting physical training sessions, continuous monitoring of performed training loads and the functional condition of the body is required. The results of self-control should be recorded in a specialized training diary maintained by each athlete [9].
By reviewing this diary, physicians, physical education instructors, and coaches can identify relationships between changes in athletes’ health conditions and the characteristics of their training activities.
All indicators recommended for recording in the self-control diary can be divided into two groups: objective indicators and subjective indicators.
The first group includes indicators expressed quantitatively in specific measurement units (kilometers, minutes, number of repetitions, heart rate, etc.). The second group includes indicators expressed qualitatively based on personal perceptions and subjective sensations. Subjective indicators may be as informative as objective measurements when athletes are able to correctly interpret and analyze them.
Self-reported physical condition includes feelings of vitality, increased performance capacity, or, conversely, weakness, fatigue, and localized pain. The overall condition may be assessed as good, satisfactory, or poor.
When unusual sensations occur, athletes should record their characteristics and identify the circumstances under which they appeared (for example, muscle soreness after training). Muscle pain may occur after a long training interruption or after a rapid increase in the intensity of exercises targeting specific muscle groups.
When an athlete experiences excessive fatigue or signs of overtraining, symptoms such as severe headaches and dizziness may occur. In such cases, Combat Horting athletes should consult medical professionals, and this information should be recorded in the self-control diary.
During self-monitoring, athletes should determine whether fatigue is related to training sessions or other factors, how quickly it appears, and what conditions influence its recovery.
Combat Horting athletes should evaluate their level of fatigue after training sessions using indicators such as:
  • “not fatigued”;
  • “slightly fatigued”;
  • “over fatigued.”
On the following day after training, athletes should record their recovery status:
  • “no fatigue present”;
  • “feeling well”;
  • “residual fatigue remains”;
  • “not fully recovered”;
  • “feeling exhausted.”
Athletes should also monitor emotional state, including mood stability, normal emotional condition, desire for solitude, or excessive psychological excitement.
Sleep plays an essential role in recovery and restoration of physical capacity. During sleep, Combat Horting athletes restore depleted energy resources, recover functional capacity, and primarily restore the nervous system. Quality sleep, which provides a feeling of energy and readiness in the morning, usually occurs quickly after going to bed [10].
Poor sleep is characterized by prolonged sleep onset, frequent nighttime awakenings, and feelings of weakness and exhaustion upon waking. Insomnia may indicate excessive training loads or health-related problems. It is often accompanied by repeated awakenings, disturbing dreams, and insufficient restoration of working capacity.
Athletes should record both the duration and quality of sleep. It is recommended that sleep duration be at least 7–8 hours per night, and during periods of intensive physical training, 9–10 hours may be required.
Sleep disturbances should also be documented, including:
  • difficulty falling asleep;
  • frequent or early awakening;
  • disturbing dreams;
  • insomnia.
Appetite should be assessed as normal, decreased, or increased.
Physical activity increases metabolic processes due to greater energy expenditure. A healthy individual usually maintains normal appetite. If appetite disturbances occur, athletes should determine whether other signs of digestive system dysfunction are present. Reduced appetite or loss of appetite may indicate fatigue or illness.
Physical performance depends on the general functional condition of the body. Combat Horting athletes should learn to critically evaluate their subjective perception of performance capacity. Research indicates that subjective well-being does not always accurately reflect the actual physiological condition of the body [11].
Under conditions of emotional excitement, athletes may report positive feelings even when negative physiological changes have already occurred. Conversely, reduced mood and psychological discomfort may decrease performance despite satisfactory health status.
Comparing subjective evaluations of performance capacity with objectively measurable indicators allows athletes to make more accurate conclusions regarding their functional condition.
The motivation and desire to participate in Combat Horting training are also important indicators. The willingness to perform physical exercises and participate in training sessions is characteristic of a healthy individual, while its absence may indicate excessive fatigue.
The self-control diary should include the athlete’s attitude toward training:
  • enthusiastic participation;
  • neutral attitude;
  • lack of motivation to train.
When analyzing subjective indicators, sufficient caution and professional interpretation are required. Although subjective well-being does not always fully correspond to actual physical condition, it remains an important indicator.
Positive emotional states may temporarily mask negative physiological changes, while negative mood may reduce perceived performance despite good health.
Such conditions may result from various factors, including inability to achieve planned training objectives or temporary decreases in athletic performance.
Therefore, evaluation of self-control indicators should consider that each symptom may have multiple causes and may not necessarily be directly associated with physical exercise. For example, poor well-being, fatigue, headaches, or reduced mood may result from previous stress, nervous system overload, or potential health problems.
Regardless of the origin of unfavorable symptoms, their systematic recording in the self-control diary provides valuable information for athletes, coaches, and medical professionals in evaluating training effectiveness and maintaining athlete health.
Self-Control Indicators in Combat Horting Training
Self-control plays an important role in the timely identification of unfavorable changes in an athlete’s condition. Among the objective indicators recorded during self-monitoring are heart rate, body weight, sweating response, and spirometry measurements.
Heart rate is considered a reliable criterion for evaluating recovery processes during training and immediately after physical exertion. Pulse rate should be measured in the morning in two positions: first, while lying supine, and then in a standing position (orthostatic test). With regular participation in combat horting training, recovery of heart rate after the same workload becomes faster, indicating improved functional adaptation and increased physical fitness of the body.
Athletes should periodically monitor heart rate responses after physical exertion. For example, if an athlete’s resting heart rate is 50 beats per minute, immediately after completing a training session the pulse should be measured for 10 seconds and multiplied by six. The resulting value may be approximately 160 beats per minute. The athlete should then measure the heart rate from the 51st to the 60th second after exercise, as well as after 3, 5, and 10 minutes of recovery. The difference between the initial heart rate (before exercise) and the maximum post-exercise heart rate is then calculated [4].
In this example:
160 – 50 = 110 beats/min.
The percentage of heart rate recovery at 1, 3, 5, and 10 minutes is calculated relative to this difference (110 beats/min). If the heart rate decreases by approximately 20% during the first minute, 35% after three minutes, 50% after five minutes, and 70–75% after ten minutes, this indicates an adequate physiological response to exercise and a positive training adaptation.
If heart rate recovery occurs more slowly, this may indicate excessive fatigue and insufficient recovery capacity of the organism. In such cases, training loads should be significantly reduced. Conversely, if recovery occurs considerably faster, the workload may be insufficient to stimulate further improvements in physical fitness.
In well-trained athletes, even after high-intensity workloads, heart rate generally does not exceed 180–200 beats per minute. Athletes should also monitor pulse rhythm, ensuring that heartbeats occur at regular intervals.
Body weight is one of the simplest and most important indicators of self-control. It is recommended that athletes monitor body weight once or twice per week.
The optimal body weight may be estimated using Brock’s method:
Ideal body weight (kg) = height (cm) – 100.
However, this formula does not sufficiently account for individual differences in body composition and stature. A more objective and accessible method is the Quetelet index (body mass-to-height ratio), calculated by dividing body weight in grams by height in centimeters.
The recommended range is approximately:
  • 325–375 g/cm for females;
  • 350–400 g/cm for males.
For example, a female athlete with a height of 160 cm and body weight of 62,500 g has a Quetelet index of:
62,500 g ÷ 160 cm = 390 g/cm.
This value indicates excessive body mass compared with the recommended range (325–375 g/cm). In such cases, it is advisable to reduce caloric intake and increase physical activity under appropriate professional guidance.
When the index value is below the recommended level, insufficient body mass may be present. Medical consultation is recommended because excessive weight loss can be as harmful as overweight conditions.
Among beginning combat horting practitioners, body weight often decreases during the first weeks of training due to the reduction of excess body water and fat reserves [2]. Later, body weight may increase slightly because systematic physical exercise stimulates muscle development. Subsequently, without specialized dietary strategies or prolonged continuous workloads (approximately one hour or longer), body weight usually stabilizes.
If an athlete previously maintained a stable and normal body weight but begins to lose weight progressively from one training session to another, this may indicate excessive physical load and insufficient recovery.
Body weight measurements should preferably be conducted in the morning on an empty stomach after urination and bowel movement. When this is not possible, measurements should be performed at the same time of day, using the same scale, and without clothing.
Combat horting athletes should also periodically measure body weight before and after training sessions and competitions. Weight loss during intensive physical activity usually does not exceed 2–3% of an athlete’s total body mass, although higher values may occur depending on conditions.
The magnitude of weight reduction depends on:
  • workload volume and intensity;
  • athlete’s level of physical conditioning;
  • environmental temperature and humidity;
  • clothing worn during training.
A sudden decrease in body weight during a period of achieved athletic performance, when other conditions remain unchanged, should be documented in the self-control diary and discussed with the coach and physician.
Sweating response is another indicator of training adaptation. In the self-control diary, sweating intensity is recorded as:
  • excessive;
  • high;
  • moderate;
  • reduced.
As physical fitness improves and the body adapts to regular exercise, excessive sweating caused by inefficient fluid regulation usually decreases. An increase in sweating during a period of high-level training, without changes in environmental temperature or humidity, may indicate dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and may be associated with overtraining syndrome.
The amount of sweat produced depends on individual physiological characteristics and the functional state of the organism.
For female athletes who regularly participate in combat horting, gynecological self-monitoring is an essential component of overall self-control. Each month, female athletes should record key characteristics of the menstrual cycle, including regularity, duration, possible disorders, and other deviations [3].
Data obtained through gynecological self-monitoring assist in establishing appropriate training regimens for female athletes during different phases of the menstrual cycle.
A physical education instructor at a higher education institution and a combat horting coach should review an athlete’s self-control diary at least once. Physicians should also examine these records during repeated medical evaluations conducted within one to two weeks.
If the intensity is within the lower limit of the effective training zone, the corresponding physical qualities develop more slowly but achieve a higher level of stability and durability. High-intensity training stimuli result in relatively rapid improvements in motor abilities; however, the adaptations achieved under such conditions are less stable. There is an inverse relationship between exercise intensity and training volume. The greater the physiological impact of a high-intensity exercise on the body, the faster fatigue develops, forcing the individual to terminate the activity. Therefore, it is never possible to combine maximal or near-maximal intensity efforts with a large volume of work.
A combat horting coach must also consider that physical exercise performed at an appropriate intensity becomes effective only when it is accompanied by a sufficient training volume. To establish an optimal balance between intensity and volume of training loads, it is necessary to consider the purpose of a specific exercise, as well as the age, sex, and physical fitness characteristics of the individuals performing it.
For example, when running is used to improve general endurance among schoolchildren and students engaged in combat horting, exercise intensity may be determined by heart rate (120–140 beats/min), which represents the lower boundary of the effective intensity zone, while duration should be adjusted according to individual capabilities.
After performing physical exercises, various recovery responses occur in the athlete’s body. The rate of restoration of working capacity is not identical during different phases following exercise-induced stress. Initially, recovery occurs rapidly; then the process slows down and subsequently continues in a wave-like pattern. At the same time, another physiological principle exists: different body functions have their own individual recovery dynamics, known as the heterochronic nature of recovery processes.
Beginning athletes may demonstrate significant differences in the recovery rates of individual physiological functions. The duration of recovery depends on the magnitude and characteristics of the training load. Restoration of energy resources used during physical activity does not simply return the organism to its initial state but may temporarily exceed the baseline level, a phenomenon known as supercompensation [5].
Supercompensation occurs when training stimuli correspond to the adaptive capabilities of the organism. As a result of supercompensation, the athlete’s level of training increases. However, if training stimuli systematically exceed the body’s adaptive capacity, energy resources are not restored adequately, leading to exhaustion. Consequently, training capacity decreases significantly. Conversely, if training stimuli remain substantially below the athlete’s potential capabilities, further improvement in fitness does not occur.
Achieving an appropriate training stimulus and effectively addressing specific pedagogical objectives also requires determining the optimal duration and nature of rest intervals between repeated exercises during training sessions. Research has demonstrated that energy restoration follows a wave-like pattern resembling a gradually decreasing curve. According to the dynamics of post-exercise recovery, rest intervals may be classified into the following categories based on duration: “short” (I), “relatively complete” (II), “extreme” (III), and “complete” (IV).
The dynamics of performance capacity and heart rate during exercise and recovery periods are evaluated according to the following indicators: training load; changes in performance capacity; heart rate dynamics; phase of incomplete recovery; phase of relatively complete recovery; supercompensation phase; phase of slight performance reduction followed by a gradual return to baseline levels.
A short rest interval involves performing the next exercise after 45–90 or 60–120 seconds, corresponding to the phase of incomplete recovery of immediate performance capacity. If a training task increases heart rate to 180–200 beats/min, the next exercise should begin when heart rate decreases to approximately 120–140 beats/min. This type of rest interval is primarily used for developing different forms of endurance.
A relatively complete rest interval involves beginning the next exercise after performance capacity has returned approximately to the baseline level (heart rate 110–120 beats/min). Its duration ranges from 60–120 seconds to 90–180 seconds. The training effect of this combination of load and recovery is manifested through supercompensation as a result of the cumulative influence of performing a series of exercises consisting of 4–6 repetitions. This approach is mainly applied for improving speed endurance and strength endurance.
Differentiated Physical Education and Specific Features of Physical Training for Schoolchildren and Students with Health Limitations
Differentiation in physical education involves adapting the educational content of the combat horting curriculum to the individual capabilities of schoolchildren and students through the differentiation of methods, training tools, and physical load intensity according to groups consisting of participants with relatively similar physical and functional characteristics.
Individual differences among schoolchildren and students are determined by several factors, including biological factors (age, sex, genetically determined characteristics, etc.), social factors (family environment, social surroundings, educational institution), psychological factors (perception, cognitive processes, personality characteristics, abilities, and motivation), as well as specific features of physical development.
These factors determine the necessity of an individualized approach to physical education for each student, which requires the application of physical load prescription methods that correspond to the actual functional state and developmental characteristics of the individual organism.
When the applied means and methods of physical education do not correspond to the physical capabilities of schoolchildren and students, exercises may be perceived as excessively difficult by some participants and insufficiently challenging by others. As a result, the effectiveness of the training impact of combat horting sessions may be reduced.
However, traditional classroom-based physical education presents certain challenges in implementing a fully individualized approach. Therefore, many researchers in the field of educational theory and instructional methods have sought approaches that preserve the advantages of both group-based and individualized teaching methods while minimizing their limitations.
An approach that meets these requirements is the organization of combat horting training based on a differentiated methodology. This approach reduces the risk of excessive physical stress, improves the health-promoting effectiveness of physical exercise sessions, facilitates the acquisition of motor skills, and contributes to the development of physical abilities.
Differentiated physical education within the combat horting system in a university sports program is implemented as follows.
At the beginning of the academic year, the institution’s medical service conducts comprehensive health assessments of schoolchildren and students to identify individuals with health-related limitations.
A comprehensive evaluation of each participant is conducted according to four main criteria:
  1. the functional state of major physiological systems;
  2. the level of resistance and adaptive capacity of the organism;
  3. the level of physical and neuropsychological development and the degree of developmental harmony;
  4. the presence or absence of chronic conditions, including congenital disorders.
Medical and pedagogical monitoring of physical education ensures comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of physical training programs in higher education institutions through cooperation between healthcare professionals (physicians and medical personnel) and educators (faculty members and physical education specialists).
The main areas of medical and pedagogical monitoring include:
  • assessment of students’ health status, neuropsychological development, and physical development;
  • medical examinations with comprehensive clinical assessments;
  • functional testing to determine cardiovascular and respiratory system capabilities;
  • classification of students into appropriate medical groups for physical activity participation and health-enhancing procedures;
  • individualized prescription of physical activity volume, intensity, and recovery procedures;
  • timely reassessment of students’ medical classifications and modification of individual recommendations;
  • evaluation of physical development dynamics and morbidity indicators within each group and within the educational institution as a whole.
Monitoring of motor development and physical fitness includes:
  • assessment of movement development and physical qualities at the beginning and end of the academic year;
  • evaluation of athletes’ physical preparedness based on quantitative and qualitative indicators of motor performance among male and female participants;
  • analysis of changes in motor abilities according to educational standards and age-specific requirements.
The evaluation of the organization and methodology of physical education activities includes analysis of:
  • consistency, duration, and effective distribution of instructional time among different parts of training sessions;
  • content and sequence of selected exercises and training activities;
  • appropriate dosage of physical loads;
  • health-enhancing and conditioning procedures;
  • instructional methods and teaching techniques;
  • effectiveness of organizational strategies and equipment utilization;
  • injury prevention measures;
  • alignment between training objectives, content, and selected instructional formats;
  • achievement of planned educational and health-related outcomes.
Assessment of Training Effects and Physiological Responses
An important component of medical and pedagogical monitoring is the evaluation of the influence of different organizational approaches on the developing organism.
This includes:
  • monthly assessment of total and motor density of combat horting training sessions;
  • individual time-motion analysis of training activities;
  • evaluation of physical and psychological stress levels through external indicators of fatigue, respiratory rate measurements, and heart rate monitoring;
  • construction of physiological response curves based on heart rate dynamics during training sessions;
  • monitoring adaptation responses to environmental conditions and weather changes, particularly among beginners and physically weakened participants;
  • analysis of health status indicators and changes in morbidity rates.
Monitoring of the daily physical activity regime includes:
  • evaluation of the appropriateness and sufficiency of different forms of combat horting-based physical activity within the daily schedule;
  • determination of the duration and frequency of performed motor activities through time-based observation methods;
  • analysis of students’ overall movement patterns during the day or specific time periods.
Sanitary and hygienic monitoring includes assessment of:
 
  • conditions of training facilities (classrooms, physical education areas, gyms, swimming pools, outdoor training grounds, and recreational areas);
  • technical condition and safety of sports equipment and training inventory;
  • suitability of clothing and footwear used by students during educational activities;
  • organization of extracurricular time, outdoor activities, recreational walking, and participation in additional forms of physical education.

 
Key Findings / Conclusions:
Conclusions and Directions for Future Research
Based on the analysis of the research findings, it can be concluded that during combat horting training, schoolchildren and students should actively monitor their own health status using medical and physiological indicators of self-control related to physical workload.
Special attention should be paid to posture and breathing techniques during the performance of self-defense techniques and physical exercises. Correct body positioning and properly coordinated inhalation and exhalation processes influence not only the health-promoting effects of training but also the successful acquisition of technical and tactical skills within the combat horting system.
Along with educational objectives, combat horting instructors should incorporate health-enhancing objectives into the training process. To achieve this, coaches should implement a comprehensive set of measures ensuring the positive physiological effects of physical exercises on the organism of schoolchildren and students.
These measures include:
  • appropriate regulation and individualization of physical training loads;
  • maintenance of proper sanitary and hygienic conditions during training;
  • organization of outdoor training activities whenever appropriate;
  • implementation of conditioning procedures;
  • compliance with requirements regarding athletes’ training uniforms and equipment safety.
Further research will focus on improving knowledge and practical skills related to medical and physiological factors of self-control over training loads during combat horting sessions, developing physical culture and health awareness among schoolchildren and students, and forming healthy lifestyle values through combat horting-based educational programs.
The results of future studies involving observational, formative, and control experimental designs will provide additional scientific evidence and will be published in peer-reviewed professional journals.

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