INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AS A FACTOR IN THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SYSTEM IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

The article examines the role of innovative technologies in modernizing the physical education system in higher education institutions. The relevance of the study is determined by the growing need to enhance students' physical activity, motivation, and overall health, in line with contemporary educational standards and the European Framework of Key Competences. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating digital tools, fitness applications, activity trackers, interactive exercises, and self-monitoring methods into physical education classes for university students. A pedagogical experiment was conducted involving 30 first- and second-year students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport. Participants were divided into a control group that followed a traditional curriculum and an experimental group that used innovative technologies during physical education sessions for 6 weeks. Key indicators measured before and after the experiment included daily step count, physical fitness tests (Ruffier test, push-ups, plank hold), and motivation to engage in physical activity, assessed via a Likert-scale questionnaire. Results showed a significant improvement in physical activity, physical fitness, and motivation among students in the experimental group compared with those in the control group. The experimental group demonstrated a 21.6% increase in daily step count, a 24.8% increase in push-up repetitions, a 29.2% increase in plank hold duration, and a 35.5% increase in motivation scores. These findings confirm the effectiveness of innovative technologies in enhancing student engagement, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and developing key competences as defined by higher education standards. The study emphasizes the practical significance of integrating digital and interactive tools into university physical education programs. Further research may explore long-term effects of such technologies, their impact on students of various specialties, and the development of methodological recommendations for their implementation in both traditional and blended learning formats.