Pedagogical substantiation of a methodology for improving the physical fitness of 7th-9th grade students through football in a rural school setting
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15391/si.2026-1.07Keywords:
soccer, adolescents, endurance, speed, agility, strength, intervals, monitoring, motivation, community, schoolAbstract
Purpose. To substantiate and describe a methodology for developing the physical fitness of students in grades 7-9 in general secondary education institutions of rural territorial communities through the use of football.
Materials and Methods. An analysis was conducted of contemporary international and national publications on school football programs, recreational football, and small-sided games as a means of developing adolescents’ motor abilities, as well as regulatory and methodological documents on the organization of physical education in general secondary education institutions. Pedagogical modeling (goals, principles, content, conditions), design of training load (volume, intensity, interval structure), and construction of a system of control and assessment were applied. For monitoring, accessible field tests (speed, agility, endurance, strength qualities) were proposed, and a subjective rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale was used to control intensity.
Results. The methodology is structured into three blocks (organizational-content, training-methodological, and control-assessment) and includes a detailed algorithm for its implementation over 10-12 weeks with 2-3 sessions per week. The priority of small-sided games is substantiated as a universal tool for simultaneous teaching of technical and tactical actions and the development of endurance, speed, agility, and strength. An indicative calendar plan of the cycle, an algorithm for in-lesson load adjustment, a minimum list of equipment for a rural school, and a monitoring battery that allows tracking individual progress and timely load correction are presented.
Conclusions. The proposed methodology is suitable for implementation in rural general secondary education institutions and combines the learning outcomes of the variable module «Football» with a safe increase in physical fitness and motivation for physical activity. Its practical value lies in the availability of ready-made solutions for organizing mixed groups, dosing intensity (through small-sided game formats and intervals), pedagogical control, and «school-community» partnership. Further research should focus on experimental verification of the methodology’s effectiveness and refinement of assessment standards with regard to age, sex, and initial fitness level.
References
Дутчак, М., Бричук, М., & Холодова, О. (2024). Особливості самооцінки фізичної підготовленості, здоров’я сільських та міських підлітків. Вісник Кам’янець-Подільського національного університету імені Івана Огієнка. Фізичне виховання, спорт і здоров’я людини, 29(3), 145–152. https://doi.org/10.32626/2309-8082.2024-29(3).145-152
Інститут модернізації змісту освіти. (n.d.). Модельна навчальна програма «Фізична культура. 5–9 класи» для закладів загальної середньої освіти [Web page]. Retrieved December 25, 2025, from https://imzo.gov.ua/model-ni-navchal-ni-prohramy/fizychna-kul-tura/
Міністерство освіти і науки України, & Міністерство молоді та спорту України. (2021, October 27). Про затвердження Концепції розвитку щоденного спорту в закладах освіти (№ 1141/4088) [Спільний наказ; PDF]. Retrieved December 25, 2025, from https://mon.gov.ua/static-objects/mon/uploads/public/661/692/e29/661692e29e73d287018677.pdf
Міністерство освіти і науки України. (2023, September 12). Інструктивно-методичні рекомендації щодо викладання навчальних предметів у закладах загальної середньої освіти у 2023/2024 навчальному році. Освітня галузь «Фізична культура». Retrieved December 25, 2025, from https://mon.gov.ua/static-objects/mon/sites/1/zagalna%20serednya/metodichni%20recomendazii/2023/09/12/IMR-2023-2024-Fizychna.kultura.12.09.2023.pdf
Піскоха, А., & Тищенко, В. (2024). Використання засобів футболу для підвищення показників фізичного розвитку та функціонального стану дітей середнього шкільного віку. Актуальні проблеми фізичного виховання та методики спортивного тренування, 2, 20–29. https://doi.org/10.31652/3041-2463-2024-2-2
Ярошовець, О., & Cушко Р. (2021). Проблематика техніко-тактичної підготовки школярів у варіативному модулі «ФУТБОЛ». Науковий часопис Українського державного університету імені Михайла Драгоманова. Серія 15, (5(136), 152-155. https://doi.org/10.31392/NPU-nc.series15.2021.5(135).37 https://doi.org/10.31392/NPU-nc.series15.2021.5(135).37
Bangsbo, J. (1994). Fitness training in football: A scientific approach. HO & Storm. https://uws-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=44PAI_V1&tab=default_tab&docid=44PAI_ALMA2119065250003931&lang=en_US&context=L
Borg, G. (1998). Borg's perceived exertion and pain scales. Human Kinetics.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306039034_Borg's_Perceived_Exertion_And_Pain_Scales
Bull, F. C., Al-Ansari, S. S., Biddle, S., Borodulin, K., Buman, M. P., Cardon, G., Carty, C., Chaput, J. P., Chastin, S., Chou, R., Dempsey, P. C., DiPietro, L., Ekelund, U., Firth, J., Friedenreich, C. M., Garcia, L., Gichu, M., Jago, R., Katzmarzyk, P. T., Lambert, E., … Willumsen, J. F. (2020). World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. British journal of sports medicine, 54(24), 1451–1462. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955
Clemente, F. M., Moran, J., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Oliveira, R., Brito, J., Silva, A. F., Badicu, G., Praça, G., & Sarmento, H. (2022). Recreational Soccer Training Effects on Pediatric Populations Physical Fitness and Health: A Systematic Review. Children, 9(11), 1776. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9111776
Council of Europe. (1988). EUROFIT: Handbook for the EUROFIT tests of physical fitness. Council of Europe. Rome: Committee for the Development of Sport, Council of Europe. https://rm.coe.int/09000016809b5a02
Ensrud‑Skraastad, O.K., & Haga, M. (2020). Associations between physical activity and motor skills in children and adolescents: A systematic review. Sports, 8(9), 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports8090120
Fédération Internationale de Football Association. (n.d.). FIFA 11+ warm‑up programme (manual and guidelines). Retrieved 2025, December 25. https://bookstation.org/library/Fifa%2011%20Warm%20Up-4943419
Foster, C., Florhaug, J. A., Franklin, J., Gottschall, L., Hrovatin, L. A., Parker, S., Doleshal, P., & Dodge, C. (2001). A new approach to monitoring exercise training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 15(1), 109–115. https://doi.org/10.1519/00124278-200102000-00019
Gómez-Álvarez, N., Boppre, G., Hermosilla-Palma, F., Reyes-Amigo, T., Oliveira, J., & Fonseca, H. (2024). Effects of Small-Sided Soccer Games on Physical Fitness and Cardiometabolic Health Biomarkers in Untrained Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(17), 5221. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13175221
Khomenko, N., Holovatenko, O., & Dudnyk, M. (2024). Pozaklasna fizkulturno‑ozdorovcha diialnist yak chynnyk fizychnoho rozvytku uchniv silskoi malokomplektnoi shkoly [Extracurricular physical culture activities as a factor of physical development in rural small schools]. Science and Education, (2), 60–69. https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2024-2-7
Larsen, M. N., Nielsen, C. M., Helge, E. W., Madsen, M., Manniche, V., Hansen, L., & Krustrup, P. (2023). School‑based health education through football improves musculoskeletal fitness in 10–12‑year‑old children: A cluster‑randomized controlled trial. Bone Reports, 18, 101681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bonr.2023.101681
Léger, L. A., Mercier, D., Gadoury, C., & Lambert, J. (1988). The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness. Journal of Sports Sciences, 6(2), 93–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640418808729800
Li, X., Xu, L., & Wang, X. (2023). Effects of recreational small‑sided games on aerobic fitness in youth: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. Heliyon, 9(11), e22041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22041
Neag, M., Hidi, I., & Sopa, I. S. (2024). Physical and physiological effects of small‑sided games in soccer: A systematic review. Human Movement, 25(4), 53–67. https://doi.org/10.5114/hm/195914
Olsen, A., Gertsen, M., & Pedersen, M. T. (2024). Practical implementation and evaluation of Fit First for All: A 10‑week football‑based physical activity programme for youth. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1419824. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1419824
Stølen, T., Chamari, K., Castagna, C., & Wisløff, U. (2005). Physiology of soccer: An update. Sports Medicine, 35(6), 501–536. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535060-00004
Trajković, N., Madić, D. M., Milanović, Z., Mačak, D., Padulo, J., Krustrup, P., & Chamari, K. (2020). Eight months of school-based soccer improves physical fitness and reduces aggression in high-school children. Biology of sport, 37(2), 185–193. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2020.94240.
World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. World Health Organization. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33239350/
