Katarzyna Prusik

Background and Study Aim. In the context of the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine, war acts as a prolonged and multi-level stressor. It exerts a complex impact on various aspects of human and societal functioning. Scientific studies have examined the consequences of the war in Ukraine for mental health, psychosocial adaptation processes, and levels of physical activity in the population. These studies reflect the diversity of individual and group responses to chronic stress and the disruption of everyday living conditions. Despite the use of different analytical and empirical approaches, the relative representation and balance of these thematic areas in scientific publications remain a subject of practical and methodological interest. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic analysis and thematic structuring of scientific publications addressing the impact of the war in Ukraine on mental health, psychosocial adaptation, and physical activity of the population. Materials and Methods. The Web of Science Research Commons database was used as the primary information source for this systematic review. The database represents a multilingual and interdisciplinary index of scientific publications. The analysis included publications published exclusively in Ukrainian scientific journals and focused on Ukraine and the war in Ukraine. Study selection was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and comprised stages of automated searching, thematic filtering, and expert screening. Initially, 5847 publications were identified. After refinement of the search criteria, 1431 sources remained, of which 92 scientific publications were included in the final qualitative analysis. The results were synthesized using thematic content analysis, followed by classification of publications into categories and subcategories. Results. The thematic content analysis revealed an uneven distribution of studies across research directions. The largest number of publications focused on mental health and population stress responses. In contrast, studies addressing clinical and physiological consequences of chronic stress were less represented. Research on physical activity and sport under wartime conditions was also limited. A substantial body of research was devoted to psychosocial adaptation and social functioning. These studies encompassed individual, family, educational, and occupational contexts. The identified thematic structure reflects a predominance of psychologically oriented research. At the same time, behavioral and physical activity-related aspects remain underrepresented. Conclusions. This systematic thematic review indicates a dominance of research focused on mental health. At the same time, physiological and behavioral aspects, including physical activity, remain insufficiently represented. The findings highlight the need for interdisciplinary research. Such research should aim to integrate mental, psychosocial, and physical activity–based approaches to population health preservation under conditions of war.

Background and Study Aim. In the context of a military conflict, students’ health is subjected to significant stress and psychological challenges. Monitoring the health condition of this vulnerable group can provide important data for developing effective support measures. The aim of this study is to assess the level of stress and health condition of students in Ukraine during the war and to compare these indicators with those of students from neighbouring countries, Poland and Romania. Materials and Methods. The study used the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire to assess stress levels among students. A total of 443 students participated: 36 from Poland, 215 from Romania, and 179 from Ukraine. Factor analysis (PCA) was employed to test the validity and reliability of the PSS-10 questionnaire structure, with the number of factors determined using the Kaiser criterion. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The Python library in the PyCharm CE environment was used as the analysis tool. The Mann-Whitney test was applied for group comparisons. Correlation analysis was conducted between the overall PSS-10 score and measures of positive and negative affect. A logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of stress. Results. The results of the factor analysis showed that both factors significantly and reliably measure different aspects of stress. Cronbach's alpha values for Factor 1 (0.87) indicate high reliability, while for Factor 2 (0.79), they indicate good reliability. A correlation of 0.89 for Factor 1 indicates a very strong positive relationship between this factor and the overall level of stress. A correlation of 0.69 for Factor 2 indicates a strong positive relationship, though not as strong as Factor 1 (p=0.0000). The results confirm that the overall PSS-10 scores are closely related to both positive and negative emotional states, with a more pronounced impact on negative emotions. The highest number of students with a stress level of 2 is observed among students from Ukraine (32.65%) and Romania (35.60%), while in Poland this figure is 4.99%. Conclusions. The study showed that the military conflict in Ukraine significantly affects the psycho-emotional state of students, causing high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Younger students and women were found to be particularly vulnerable. These results underscore the need to develop targeted support programs to improve the mental health of students in the context of the war.

Background and Study Aim. The development of coordination abilities in young schoolchildren is crucial for their physical and psychological health, as well as academic success. In the contemporary educational environment, there is insufficient attention to the systematic and targeted development of these abilities through the integration of physical activity into the learning process. The purpose of this study is to develop and test a comprehensive program aimed at developing the coordination abilities of young schoolchildren through the use of rhythmic and choreographic means. Materials and Methods. The study involved fourth-grade students (n=40), including 20 girls and 20 boys. All participants were divided into two groups: a control group (CG, n=20) and an experimental group (EG, n=20). Both groups attended two choreography lessons and one physical education lesson weekly. The study lasted 10 weeks. The experiment was conducted in the city of Zmiiev (Kharkiv region, Ukraine), located in a war zone since February 2022. The requirements of the military administration for ensuring the safety of the experiment participants were observed. Results. Data analysis revealed significant statistical differences between the control and experimental groups across all applied tests (p<0.05). In the experimental group of girls, there was a significant improvement in the "Rhythmic Movements of Upper and Lower Limbs" test (p<0.01). These results were consistent with improvements in other coordination ability tests in the experimental group (p<0.05). Improvements in strength ability indicators were observed in both groups. However, no statistically significant differences between the CG and EG were recorded. Conclusions. The study confirmed that a specially designed program with elements of dance and choreography significantly positively affects the development of coordination abilities in young schoolchildren. Such a program contributes to the physical development of children, improves their emotional state, stimulates activity, and develops a sense of responsibility.

Background and Study Aim. Behavior adjustment, as an individual's response to threats, is an effective means of managing stress. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the correlation between life satisfaction and problem-focused coping strategies among future physical culture teachers. Materials and Methods. The study involved students (n=72, aged 18-21 years). The research was conducted during the 2022-2023 academic year in an online format. The following instruments were used: "Life Satisfaction Scale," "Coping Test," and "Coping Strategy Indicator." Pearson's correlation coefficient was employed to determine the relationships between variables. Results. The results indicate a moderate to low level of life satisfaction among the students. The adaptability of students' behavior was assessed based on the expression level of coping strategies (M±σ): problem-solving (23.5±6.8), seeking social support (26.7±7.5), and avoidance of problems (22.1±6.4). The findings suggest both positive and negative correlations between core coping strategies and life satisfaction among students. Conclusions. The findings of this research can contribute to the existing knowledge on the role of coping strategies in enhancing life satisfaction among physical culture teachers. By identifying effective coping mechanisms, educational institutions and professionals in the field can develop targeted interventions and support systems to promote the well-being and resilience of future teachers.

Background and Study Aim. At present, human health and related elements face ongoing risks from environmental conditions. Thus, regular tracking of health metrics gains significant importance. The research objective is to assess the BMI level of students residing in areas affected by the extended military conflict in Ukraine. Material and Methods. The study involved students from three universities in Ukraine (96 men and 160 women). Prior to the experiment, these students had been living a sedentary life due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic (beginning in 2020) and the ongoing war in Ukraine (starting February 24, 2022). They spent a cumulative total of three and a half years in this challenging setting. Data gathering was carried out through a Google Form, which comprised details such as the student's name or alias, gender, height, weight, academic year, field of study, and university association. The PyCharm CE platform and a range of Python programming libraries were employed for the statistical analysis of the data. Results. The study revealed that the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) values are 22.73 kg/m2 in males and 21.20 kg/m2 in females. Among women, the BMI breakdown is: 73.75% normal weight, 17.5% underweight, 7.5% overweight, and 1.25% obese. For men, the figures are: 69.79% normal weight, 20.83% overweight, 5.21% underweight, and 4.17% obese. Conclusions. The outcomes stress the necessity of a tailored approach to body mass control, considering gender-specific, educational, and societal-cultural factors.

Background and Study Aim. The physical training of young athletes is the basis for future success in competitions. Its effectiveness depends on many factors, among which safe conditions for life support stand out. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are significant restrictions on the training of young athletes. The aim of the study is the physical training of young Greco-Roman wrestlers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods. The study involved young athletes (boys, n=20, age 5-7 years (Kharkiv, Ukraine). The experimental group of initial training (n=10) consisted of young athletes of the first year of study (children's sports school). The control group (n=10) consisted of children in the first year of primary school education. The study was conducted for 12 weeks. At the beginning and at the end of the study, a final testing of the level of physical fitness of boys was carried out. Tests were used to determine strength abilities, speed-strength abilities, coordination readiness and flexibility development. The study included all students whose parents agreed to participate in the study. This study was conducted by the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of University. Results. Positive changes in the experimental group were observed in tests characterizing the level of development of coordination abilities. During repeated testing, the experimental group was much better oriented in space when performing three rolls. This was manifested in a reduction in the time of their implementation (t=4.091; р˂0.001) and a longer balance in static conditions (t=4.11; р˂0.01). In tests for the manifestation of strength and coordination abilities, there is a tendency to positive changes. However, there was no confirmation of a likely difference between pre-test and post-test (p>0.05). In tests for flexibility, the result remained almost unchanged and even deteriorated slightly. There were very slight positive changes in other studied indicators. Conclusions. For the formation of basic physical fitness, it is effective to provide a greater variety of training means and to maximize the focus on the game method of training. The process of training wrestlers of this age should be directed mainly to the development of coordination abilities.

The aim of the study was to verify if coupling 12 weeks of vitamin D supplementation and Nordic walking training favoured lowering the homocysteine (Hcy) level. Ninety-four elderly women were divided into three groups: Nordic walking (NW), supplemented (SG) and control (CG). The NW and SG groups received a weekly dose of 28,000 IU of vitamin D3. A blood analysis was performed at baseline, 1h after the first training session and at the end of the experiment. The amino acid profile (methionine and cysteine) and homocysteine concentration were determined. Additionally, the concentration of myokine was assessed. The first session of NW training reduced serum homocysteine, particularly among women with baseline homocysteine above 10 µmol·L⁻¹: 12.37 ± 2.75 vs. 10.95 ± 3.94 µmol·L⁻¹ (p = 0.05). These changes were accompanied by shifts in the cysteine (p = 0.09) and methionine (p = 0.01) concentration, regardless of the Hcy concentration. Twelve weeks of training significantly decreased the homocysteine (9.91 ± 2.78, vs. 8.90 ± 3.14 µmol·L⁻¹, p = 0.05) and ferritin (94.23 ± 62.49 vs. 73.15 ± 47.04 ng·mL⁻¹, p = 0.05) concentrations in whole NW group. Also, in the NW group, ferritin correlated with the glucose level (r = 0.51, p = 0.00). No changes in the myokine levels were observed after the intervention. Only the brain-derived neurotrophic factor dropped in the NW (42.74 ± 19.92 vs. 31.93 ± 15.91 ng·mL⁻¹, p = 0.01) and SG (37.75 ± 8.08 vs. 16.94 ± 12.78 ng·mL⁻¹, p = 0.00) groups. This study presents a parallel decrease of homocysteine and ferritin in response to regular training supported by vitamin D supplementation.

Nordic Walking (NW) and Vitamin D concentration (Vit D) alone have been shown to contribute to the health and performance of elderly people. However, the interaction between these two factors has yet to be explored. In this study 42 women over 60 years of age (69.02 ± 5.56 years) were recruited and divided in two NW groups: a high-intensity interval training group (HI-NW) and a moderate-intensity continuous training group (MI-NW). Individuals from each group completed a 12-week NW training program (3 times a week/2 hours) combined with randomized Vitamin D supplementation (HD = high dose: 4000 IU/day or LD = low dose: 800 IU/day). Body composition, postural control, muscle strength and Vitamin D serum concentration were measured twice; before and after the intervention. To investigate the interaction between supplementation and training a mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed. The HI-NW group, regardless of supplementation dose, increased their Vit D and elbow torque performance. On the other hand, in the MI-NW group the same Vit D outcome was seen only with HD supplementation and was also associated with increased leg muscle mass. In conclusion, beneficial effects of both HI-NW and MI-NW training regimes were seen. The impact of the dose supplementation on Vit D and body composition was related to the type of NW training.