PSYCHOLOGICAL RELAXATION FOR ENHANCED RECOVERY AND WELLNESS IN STUDENT-ATHLETES DURING TRAINING AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Aim. This study aims to examine the effects of psychological relaxation on student recovery during academic and training activities. Materials and methods. The study involved 35 students from South Ural State Humanitarian Pedagogical University (Chelyabinsk, Russia), allocated into an experi­mental group (n = 17) and a control group (n = 18). The research employed a mixed-methods approach, centered around a pedagogical experiment. Methods included a literature review, assessment of functional state, heart rate monitoring, evaluation of psychological relaxation, and mathematical statistics for data analysis. Results. The study’s results confirm that the technique of controlling metabolic energy systems serves as an effective means of psychological relaxation following physical exertion. The study examined not only the impact of psychological relaxation but also the process of proactive recovery aimed at anti­cipating and mitigating fatigue and functional system overstrain. Such overstrain impairs functional performance and hinders the recovery process during academic work. Furthermore, general physical exertion plays a multifunctional role in both the recovery process and the psychological relaxation of students. Conclusion. Psychological relaxation induces a wave-like pattern in the recovery and psychological processes of student-athletes during physical training. The technique of psychological muscle relaxation can be applied through both direct-contact and remote means, positively influencing the recovery process and the development of functional performance. This form of relaxation is applicable in cyclic, acyclic, and mixed sports during both the training and competitive activities of student-athletes.