INFLUENCE OF HANDBALL TRAINING ON THE PHYSICAL FITNESS, MOTOR ACTIVITY, AND MOTIVATION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The problem of improving the physical fitness, motor activity, and motivation of university students remains one of the key challenges of modern higher education. Reduced levels of physical activity, increasing academic workload, and declining interest in regular physical exercise necessitate the search for effective pedagogical approaches within university physical education systems. In this regard, sports games, particularly handball, possess significant potential due to their dynamic nature, high emotional engagement, and comprehensive influence on students’ physical and psychological development.

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of handball training on the physical fitness, motor activity, and motivation of university students. The study involved 64 university students aged 18-20 years, divided into a control group (n=32) and an experimental group (n=32). The control group followed a traditional physical education curriculum, whereas the experimental group participated in a handball-based training program for 16 weeks. Research methods included scientific literature analysis, pedagogical observation, physical fitness testing, comparative analysis, and questionnaire assessment of motivational indicators.