DEVELOPMENT OF PREVENTIVE AND HEALTH-IMPROVING ACTIVITIES WITH WOMEN IN THE SECOND PERIOD OF MATURE AGE WITH DIFFERENT TYPES AND LEVELS OF POSTURE CONDITION

Abstract

The aim of the research was to scientifically justify the development of a program of preventive and health-improving activities for women aged 39–40 with different types and levels of posture condition in order to enhance their health-preserving orientation. Research methods included theoretical analysis of specialized literature, extraction method from medical records, pedagogical observation, posture photography and analysis, pedagogical experiment, and methods of mathematical statistics. Results. The logic and validity of using the results of the conducted exploratory experiment as the basis for developing a program of preventive and health-improving activities for women in the second period of mature age with different types and levels of posture condition were substantiated. The program comprised three stages and consisted of thematic blocks such as “joint gymnastics”, “breathing exercises”, exercises involving pilates and yoga systems, and the use of dumbbells – distinguishing it from other relevant programs in the field of physical culture and sports. It was found that after completing the sequentially transformative experiment, only 7.1% of women in the second period of mature age with different types and levels of posture condition participating in the study demonstrated results correlated with a low level of biogeometric profile posture condition, while the rest showed results corresponding to the average (78.6%) or, in some cases (14.3%) – to the high level of biogeometric profile posture condition. The study revealed statistical increases in muscle endurance of the upper limbs (according to the test of flexion and extension of the arms in the prone position) in two groups: among women with a rounded spine, whose results increased on average by more than one repetition (t=3.92; p<0.01), and among individuals with scoliotic posture, where such an increase also almost reached one repetition (U=0; p<0.05). Data obtained through the performance of the “pull-ups in the hanging position” test regarding muscle endurance of the upper limbs of the experimental women, stratified by posture types, showed positive trends, reaching statistical significance only in two groups: individuals with a rounded spine, where the difference amounted to 2 pullups by the median (U=1.5; p<0.05), and individuals with a flat spine, where the difference corresponded to 1 pull-up (U=0; p ≤0.05). Additionally, all groups of studied women showed positive increases in indicators of spinal flexibility, hip joint mobility, and elasticity of the knee tendons (the “forward bend from a seated position” test) with no statistically significant shifts (p>0.05). Conclusions. The spectrum of abnormalities in the musculoskeletal system resulting from unbalanced human asymmetry, are supplemented by other destructive changes in posture, such as kyphosis and lordosis, which are manifested in the primary dysfunction of the sagittal plane. These conditions are the causes of the formation of musculoskeletal stress, inevitable structural damage in the future, negative changes in movement efficiency and respiratory function, as well as a deterioration in quality of life. For the first time, the study theoretically justifies and develops a program of preventive and health-improving activities for women in the second period of mature age with different types and levels of posture condition.