The article, based on the analysis of sources, defines and analyzes the need for physical self-improvement of student youth, namely: the structure and main components of this need have not yet been fully disclosed; the method of step-by-step application of means and methods in forming the need for physical exercises has not been developed; methods of interest formation and motives of independent physical exercises are not sufficiently researched. It is noted that the professional training of student youth cannot be complete if it is limited only to mastering knowledge in the specialty, an indispensable requirement for the successful training of students of higher education in Ukraine is the mandatory availability of physical capabilities for each student to use their knowledge as efficiently as possible in future professional activities. The analysis of literary sources and dissertation studies shows that the problem of forming the need for physical self- improvement is just beginning to be developed. Until now, the concept of "need for physical self-improvement" has not been clearly defined, the structure and main components of this need have not been revealed, the methodology for the step-by-step application of means and methods in the formation of the need for physical exercises has not been developed, the means and methods of forming interest and motives for independent exercises have not been sufficiently researched physical exercises. The purpose of the article is to theoretically substantiate and experimentally verify the effectiveness of the method of forming the need for physical self-improvement among students of higher education institutions of Ukraine. Principal results. It is proved that the three-component program of formation of the need for physical self-improvement of future specialists proposed by the author covers all aspects of physical education and allows it to act as a fundamental process of forming a students’ physical culture, when the valuable components of this sphere of culture become for them an internal asset and an objective vital need.

The experience of modern warfare and the results of scientific research show that an important and most effective means of solving the tasks of special physical training of military personnel is the use of physical exercises and sports, which are the closest in terms of the movements used and the nature of physical exertion to their military professional activities. One of these is military applied all-around and, above all, military pentathlon. Taking it allows you to adequately develop the necessary physical and special qualities, to form important military-applied skills, to improve professional techniques and actions, and to educate the moral and mental qualities of military personnel. The purposeof the work is to study the state of development of physical qualities and the formation of military-applied motor skills in the types of activities of military pentathlon, which belong to athletics. Research material and methods. To achieve this goal, a complex of scientific research methods was applied, namely: general scientific (analysis of scientific and methodical literature), pedagogical (testing, experiment), sociological (written survey using a questionnaire), mathematical statistics methods. 300 cadet athletes from various higher military educational institutions took part in the study. To achieve this goal, a complex of scientific research methods was applied, namely: general scientific (analysis of scientific and methodical literature), pedagogical (testing, experiment), sociological (written survey using a questionnaire), mathematical statistics methods. 300 cadet athletes from various higher military educational institutions took part in the study. Results. The conducted studies objectively show that in the process of developing applied sports skills, the qualities and skills we are studying are improved. The greater the difference in the level of sports preparation, the greater the difference in these indicators. Thus, the physical qualities of athletes of I and higher ranks have significant differences (p<0.05) compared to athletes who do not have sports ranks, in the development of speed by 10.7 %; speed endurance by 14.2 %; special endurance by 13.6 %; absolute hand strength by 29.8 %; relative hand strength by 30.9 %; in the development of speed and strength qualities (long jump from a standing position) by 14.6 %; throwing a grenade at a range of 42.8 %; throwing grenades with an accuracy of 60 %; shot put by 18 %. Conclusions. The conducted research allows us to state that the obtained results reflect the external and internal mechanism of adaptation of athletes in the process of developing sportsmanship