Physical development of cadets who were engaged in armwrestling during studying

Abstract

Power sports have always been very popular among servicemen and, especially, cadets of higher military educational institutions. In the process of power sports, cadets develop all physical qualities, strengthen the body, improve physical development. The article examines the indicators of physical development of cadets who were engaged in armwrestling during studying. A comparative analysis of the results obtained with similar indicators of cadets who were engaged in the current system of physical training and additionally did not go in for sports was carried out. The study involved cadets of the Odessa Military Academy. Two groups were formed: cadets who trained according to the current system of physical training (group 1, n=286), and cadets who trained in the armwrestling section of the academy (group 2, n=32). The physical development of the cadets was assessed according to the following indicators: body length, body weight, circumferential dimensions of the chest and waist, wrist dynamometry, body mass index, Erisman’s index, power index. Research methods: theoretical analysis and generalization of literature sources, medical and biological methods, statistical analysis. It was established that armwrestling classes have a positive effect on the level and dynamics of physical development of cadets during studying at the academy. It was found that among cadets of group 2, most of the indicators were significantly better (p<0.05–0.001) than among cadets of group 1, which makes it possible to recommend this kind of sport as a means of improving the physical development of cadets. The most pronounced influence of armwrestling was on the power capabilities of cadets (hand dynamometry, power index), chest circumference and Erisman’s index.