Condition of the autonomic nervous system during the 'sit-stand-sit' orthostatic test in university students in areas of military conflict in Ukraine

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Extended residence in a zone of military conflict presents health risks for students. Hence, this research focuses on evaluating the condition of the autonomic nervous system among university students residing in Ukraine's conflict-affected areas. Materials and Methods. The study involved 57 students (30 men and 27 women) from universities across Ukraine. Before the experiment, these students had experienced a prolonged period of inactivity, attributed to the global COVID-19 pandemic since 2020 and the ongoing war in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Their total time in this difficult environment was 3 years and 6 months. The 'Orthostatic test "seated-to-standing-to-seated" (by Nikolay Teslenko)' was applied in this study. To participate in the study, students were instructed to complete the test and record their findings in a designated Google form. The cardiovascular response (heart rate) was evaluated during the 'sit-stand-sit' sequence for 3 minutes. The experiment's data were statistically analyzed using the PyCharm CE platform and a range of Python coding libraries. Results. The research on the cardiovascular response to physical activity among male and female students revealed that first-category participants exhibit superior adaptation and consistent heart rate, both while stationary and when moving. The second category experienced more pronounced heart rate variations, signifying an average adaptation level. The third category had the most heart rate variability, potentially indicating inadequate stress adaptation and possible cardiovascular health risks. Conclusions. Analysis of the data reveals that physical preparedness markedly affects heart and blood vessel system reactions in both genders. The discerned disparities in heart rate reactions among the groups emphasize the necessity for customized physical training strategies, especially for those less adapted to physical demands.

The Influence of Physical Activity on Stress-associated Conditions in Higher Education Students

“…Against the background of the action of stress factors of increased potential in the country, there is a significant prevalence of stress-related conditions (Pavlova et al, 2022;Vypasniak et al, 2023;Kurapov et al, 2023), namely stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) among the students (Rogowska & Pavlova, 2023;Zaitsev, 2023;Meshko et al, 2023). Therefore, it has become an issue particularly actively discussed by experts in the different fields (Limone et al, 2022).…”

Assessing the effects of targeted soccer exercises on the physical fitness of 15-16-year-old schoolchildren

“…The impact of military conflicts and the specifics of educational organization have been examined in various studies [1,2,3,4,5]. Authors highlight the importance of safety measures during classes and the possibilities for maintaining physical activity at home.…”

Динаміка Психофізіологічних Показників Українських Здобувачів Вищої Освіти В Умовах Військового Стану

“…Дедалі більше науковців долучаються до обговорення наслідків негативного досвіду, який переживають вітчизняні студенти через війну в Україні. Вчені припускають, що зниження рівня рухової активності (РА) студентів через знищення, ушкодження або обмеження доступу до інфраструктури для занять оздоровчо-рекреаційною руховою активністю (ОРРА) посилює негативні наслідки стресу [1,17].…”