Author(s): DROZDOVSKA, S., ANDRIEIEVA, O.V., BYSHEVETS, N.G., Institution: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT OF UKRAINE, Country: UKRAINE, Abstract-ID: 1833

INTRODUCTION:
Todays Ukrainian university students are exposed to military stressors for a long time. They experience significant psychological stress as a result of constant anxiety, fear for their lives and health, instability, and economic disruption caused by military operations. These factors lead to widespread stress-related states among students, including stress, anxiety, and the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
METHODS:
The study involved 125 university students. The study utilized questionnaires comprising blocks of questions designed to ascertain psychophysiological indicators (activity, mood, sleep, appetite, performance, and well-being) with the 5-point Likert scale; stress level by V. Y. Shcherbatykh; anxiety scores using the Spielberg-Hanin Inventory; and the risk of PTSD using the Mississippi Scale. To analyze the impact of different types of physical activity (PA) on stress-related states, logistic regression models were built. GLZ models were utilized. The statistical significance of the models was assessed using the Wald test.
RESULTS:
The analysis indicated that adventure tourism is a statistically significant predictor (p<0.05) of stress reduction, a decrease in intrusive thoughts, and mood improvement. Mental fitness was found to be the most effective means for the restoration of mental balance. The models for predicting an increase in stress tolerance revealed dependencies on the type and amount of PA. This study contributes to the extant scientific knowledge base in the field of health-enhancing recreational physical activity aimed at preventing stress-related states. The proposed approach to the use of GLZ-models in the study of students stress tolerance opens up new opportunities for analyzing the complex relationships between types of PA and psycho-emotional states.
CONCLUSION:
The findings confirm prior research on the significant impact of PA on mental well-being. Studies highlight PA as a key adaptive mechanism in stress management, while the type and context of PA influence its effectiveness in alleviating stress. Predictive models developed in this study suggest that while team sports participants exhibited better performance, their high PTSD risk nullified stress-reducing effects. This may stem from competition-induced emotional strain, as elevated cortisol levels hinder psychological recovery. In contrast, mental fitness and adventure tourism groups showed superior outcomes, aligning with research on the stress-reducing effects of less competitive, nature-based activities. Adventure tourism, in particular, fosters resilience through nature exposure, social support, and personal achievement. Despite the statistical significance of the models, further refinement is needed, particularly through larger, more diverse samples and a focus on sex-based differences. Given the unique stressors of wartime conditions, integrating non-competitive PA– such as adventure tourism and mental fitness – into student wellness programs is essential.