PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN GEDIMINAS TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY IN VILNIUS

Introduction

A society health condition depends on a multitude of internal factors (personal qualities) and external ones (the environment). All these factors that affect the society as a whole, as well as the individual, determine social health. On this basis, one could distinguish three components of a healthy lifestyle: 1) physical health − optimal functioning of the body; 2) mental health – one’s self-awareness of their own personality as a whole in which mental and physical functions harmonise; 3) social health – historically formed norms as a whole which positively affect the society in general and each individual [1].
Researchers perceive these components of a healthy lifestyle as closely intertwined and affecting the state’s management systems at the social, economic and political levels. The effectiveness of the public health management is a prerequisite for efficient government’s work [2, 3]. Improving the health condition of children and young people is a priority in striving for a healthier society. Students are the most active members of any community and, at the same time, the basis of the state’s future. Accordingly, proper student health is an essential element in preparing future qualified professionals. Unfortunately, many researchers underline that the health condition of children and adolescents is continually deteriorating [4, 5]. Students can be classified as a group living an extreme lifestyle associated with increased risk for health problems [6]. Consequently, the time when they acquire knowledge becomes a dangerous and challenging period for young people, which additionally affects their psychomotor, social and personal development, which in turn determines later development of their personalities in the subsequent stages of life [7].
In turn, acquiring the specific characteristics needed in any profession is strictly defined. The process of developing and shaping these properties results from the adaptation of the organism to the process of in which professional skills are acquired. This may indicate that students’ education should be comprehensive and that physical activity is essential. Thus, building a system of values through physical activity should not only be pragmatic and momentary. It should also become a moral and intellectual tool that provides the basis of social values. Occupational requirements are adapted to the concept of psychomotor competence: a complex of specific motor, mental and mental abilities in particular occupations or life situations [8]. The social, physical and psychological development of young people in Lithuania differs from that of young people living in other countries. This is caused by the following factors: social environment, economic conditions, occupational and psychomotor skills. It is therefore essential to establish indicators determining health status and criteria for students in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU).

Material and methods

The research material of the study comprised the VGTU physical education system and its students’ health condition. The study aimed to analyse and present students’ health condition in the years 2008-2013 and its relation to the additional physical education courses. It was hoped that the information about the health of the academic youth would help to optimise the management of their physical activity classes and form a basis for improvement of the youth’s physical condition itself. The study was to identify, summarise and compare the results of consistent research [5, 7, 9].
The examined persons were the first-degree students of the VGTU (1st-4th year). The research was conducted in the academic years 2005-2013. The study covered students who chose additional elective PA courses as well as all the first year undergraduates.
As a research method, case studies (documentation, questionnaire) were conducted, which identified motives, attitudes and attitudes towards educational issues. The students’ health condition was assessed by examining the certificates issued by the Lithuanian healthcare institutions (no. 027 / A; no. 046 / A; no. 086 / A). The students were differentiated following the nature of the health disorders of particular systems (visual, motor, cardio-circulatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal, nervous, endocrine and other health disorders) as well as by the severity of the disorders [10]:
The main group (the healthy persons) showed minor health disorders (low-level disorders that do not affect their performance). Students were able to follow the programme of physical education successfully.
The next group, i.e. the preparatory one, showed minor health disorders. The students were physically poorly developed and poorly physically prepared (after severe illnesses or temporarily unable to participate in PE classes). They would engage in physical activity, as indicated in their study programme, provided that such physical activity did not impair their health and would help them to improve its condition. They would not do some exercises and limit others. These students could participate in general physical exercise sessions or do self-training at home after consulting a specialist.
The third group, i.e. the special one, comprised those students with permanent or temporary mild health disorders. They would be involved in individualised physical exercise as they attended a unique programme of physical education, and a part of that course was conducted by a specialist in kinesis therapy (sports holidays, leisure trips, etc.).
Finally, there was a group exempted from physical education classes. It concerned all the students who were unable to participate in physical training, as they suffered from chronic illness (sub-compensatory stage), had morphological disorders (complicate daily activities: complications of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, lungs and other systems), and severely sick patients at decompensation stage). The students could do physical activity only in healthcare institutions under the supervision of kinesis therapists.
Summing up, taking into account the characteristics of the groups together and the particular health disorders, it is worth mentioning that the group characterised as the one with disorders significantly affecting the physical activities included the special group (the third one) and the one exempted from physical education comprised those and those exempted from PA.
The indicators of the study are expressed in absolute and percentage values. The significant differences between the calculated indices were measured using the chi-quadrant (χ2) using a 2x2 table. In determining the reliability of the indicators, the criterion p <0.05 was assumed. Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient (Pearson) was calculated to determine the relationship between the variables.

Results

While assessing the change in the pattern of students with health disorders significantly affecting physical activity in the years 2005 - 2013 (Fig. 1) significant differences were not established.
31% of the VGTU students belonged to this group. However, there were significantly more girls who represented the special group and those who were exempted from physical education (on average 41%) than boys (on average 26%) (Fig. 2).
Although there was a visible tendency of health improvement in students, it was not significant. While assessing the patterns of health disorders affecting physical activity, similar trends were identified both in girls and boys (fig. 3, 4).
Several health disorders that significantly influenced physical activity in students were identified in the analysed in the period, i.e. 2007-2013. Physical, visual and cardiovascular disorders affected the amount of FA most. However, the patterns and dynamics of these complications in girls and boys were different. It was found that visual disorders were significantly more common in girls (Fig. 5).
Still, the sight problems related to the visual system in girls tended to decrease during the study period. Boys, when compared to girls, had more severe health disorders associated with the motor and cardiovascular systems. While evaluating the health indicators of boys who chose additional courses of physical education, it was found that the students with motor disorder tended to do more physical education classes.
Further, it was discovered that the courses of physical education were chosen by 709 students (9% of the undergraduate full-time students) in the academic year 2013/14. Taking into account the fact that the training at this level covers eight semesters, it was likely that up to four thousand students at the first-degree level would be enrolled in FA classes, which accounted for about 55% of the university students.
While comparing the students’ health condition at university faculties and the quantitative indicators of those who chose optional courses of physical education, it was noted that students with better health indicators were more active in opting for additional physical education courses (r = 0.6819; p <0.05) (Fig. 6).
Thus, it could be assumed that students with inferior health indicators tended to avoid physical education classes, and the university arrangements were conducive to the process. However, prove or disprove this assumption, more accurate research is needed.

Discussion

The health examination of Lithuanian students conducted from the year 1952 and continued until 1987 [11, 12] showed that their health condition was critical. Systematic studies reported that additional physical activity could significantly improve the health and well-being of Lithuanian students [13]. Later studies also showed worrying results, as they indicated an increase in the number of girls and boys suffering from ill health in schools [14]. The following research showed that a significant increase in the number of students exempted from physical education was visible between 1995 and 2005 and that the overall physical condition of Lithuanian students deteriorated [15]. Other studies indicated that girls’ health outcomes were worse than the boys’ ones [16]. However, the other authors’ findings pointed to the fact that girls’ lifestyle and attitudes to health were more conducive to preserving health than boys’, although their health condition was less satisfactory [17].
The processes of health deterioration in the Lithuanian youth described above could have been caused by the decline in the health of school children [18]. The research done by the author confirms the fact that the Lithuanian youth’s health condition and health-related behaviours were dynamic. In all, the health condition of the Lithuanian society tended to deteriorate, especially in its youth. The process had been long and the negative factors should be corrected at various levels of social life (state institutions, private organisations, families, individuals). As regards the formation of healthy lifestyles in the Lithuanian population, it turns out that physical activity should be promoted, as only 17.2% of the Lithuanian university provide students with a sufficient amount of physical activity [19].
Suitably chosen and diversified physical activity forms (in their intensity, volume, specificity of movement), constitutes a prerequisite in restoring physical activity in students, enhancing health and increasing exercise capacity in the physical and mental health areas [20]. Physical self-education is also of great importance in the field of physical activity [21]. Students’ health and physical condition are mainly dependent on physical education. Health-related behaviours acquired at an early age may significantly impact the subsequent life events [22, 23].

Conclusions

The study showed that about 60% of students in VGTU were healthy and that the boys’ health indicators were better when compared to girls. The most common disorders in students included the ones of visual, cardiovascular and motor system systems, which significantly affected physical activity. The disorders in the motor system might impact the choice of additional physical education courses most, and this opportunity may make students take measures to reduce the harmful health condition. This premise needs to be further researched. A well-designed physical education programme may motivate students to get involved in more physical activity and consequently help to solve health-related problems in the Lithuanian students.

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