Formation of professional competence of future specialists in physical culture and sports through health, animation, and leisure activities

Modern trends in the development of physical culture and sports determine the need to improve the professional training of future specialists capable of effectively organizing health, animation, and leisure activities for different population groups. The aim of the study is to theoretically substantiate and experimentally verify the effectiveness of forming professional competence of future specialists in physical culture and sports through health, animation, and leisure activities. The research employed a set of methods, including analysis and generalization of scientific sources, student surveys, pedagogical observation, testing of professional skills development, a pedagogical experiment, and methods of mathematical statistics. Within the framework of the experiment, a system of practical activities was implemented, including the organization of sports and entertainment programs, thematic movement-based quests, fitness marathons, health-oriented flash mobs, tourist and local history trips, interactive game-based sessions, workshops on animation activities, as well as the development and implementation of students’ own recreational programs for different age groups. The structure of professional competence was substantiated and includes motivational-value, cognitive, activity-based, and reflective components. A teaching and methodological complex was developed and implemented, aimed at forming skills in designing and implementing health and animation programs, organizing various types of leisure activities (game-based, sports, туристичні, fitness-oriented), applying interactive teaching methods, and ensuring safe conditions for practical classes. The results of the experiment demonstrated positive dynamics in the indicators of professional competence of students in the experimental group compared to the control group: the level of professional motivation increased, readiness for independent planning and implementation of health, animation, and leisure activities improved, and organizational and communication skills were enhanced. Thus, the use of health, animation, and leisure activities in professional training is an effective means of developing professional competence of future specialists in physical culture and sports and can be integrated into higher education curricula.