Healthy running as a means of improving the psycho-emotional state of women in the second period of mature age

Abstract

Introduction. The article discusses that systematic physical activity helps to slow down age-related changes and preserve a number of physical and psychological characteristics of the body. Physical exercises of a health-improving nature are of particular importance, since they reduce the level of morbidity, perform a preventive function, contribute to increasing life expectancy and improving its quality. It is noted that in the system of physical education of youth and adults, the leading role belongs to athletics, in particular, health-improving running, which has a comprehensive positive effect on physical and mental health. The purpose of the study to investigate the impact of recreational running on the psycho-emotional state of women in the second period of adulthood. Research methods: theoretical analysis and generalization of data from scientific and methodological literature (sources were studied in accordance with the research problem); the method of systems analysis (used for a logical and consistent approach to organizing and obtaining research results); pedagogical experiment (a questionnaire was conducted to identify women’s motivation and needs), pedagogical testing (the dynamics of women’s psycho-emotional state were studied), methods of mathematical statistics (aimed at calculating the total and average values of indicators and their effectiveness). Research results. It was found that the main motives for doing health-improving running in women of the second period of maturity are the desire to improve health, reduce psychological stress and increase working capacity, while the significance of the health-improving motive increases with age. According to the results of systematic health-improving running, the indicators of the “Quality of Life Index” increased by 5.5 points, which confirms a significant (p<0.01) increase in the level of subjective satisfaction with the quality of life. Conclusions. Summing up the results of the study, it can be stated that recreational running has a positive effect on the psychological sphere of women in the second period of adulthood, contributing to the stabilization of the emotional state, reducing the level of anxiety. The positive effect of running is also manifested in an increase in the general level of life activity, the formation of an optimistic attitude towards the surrounding reality and an increased sense of self-confidence.