ENHANCING FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES THROUGH HYDROKINESITHERAPY IN STUDENTS WITH HEALTH LIMITATIONS

Abstract

Aim. This study investigates the effect of hydrokinesitherapy during physical education (PE) classes on the health status of university students with health limitations. Materials and methods. Thirty-eight female students aged 18–20 were assigned to a special medical group for health reasons. They were divided into either an experimental group (EG) (n = 20) or a control group (CG) (n = 18). The intervention comprised 34 sessions of hydrokinesitherapy conducted twice weekly over a semester during regular PE classes. Prior to the study, baseline measurements of physical development, cardiovascular and respiratory performance, and physical qualities were obtained in students with health limitations. Results. Significant improvements were recorded for all the parameters under study among the EG compared to the CG. The most significant improvements were recorded for cardiovascular and respiratory performance, speed-strength parameters, and flexibility. Conclusion. This study demonstrates the positive impact of incorporating hydrokinesitherapy into PE classes for university students with health limitations. The findings suggest that such interventions can effectively enhance the functional capabilities of these students, particularly in terms of respiratory and cardiovascular performance, physical fitness levels, and overall quality of life.