The program for monitoring students' walking and running according to the system "10,000 steps a day" during the spread of COVID-19

Background: During the spread of COVID-19, the need for scientifically based methodological assistance to students when walking and running was most evident in order to improve optimal body functions and maintain health. The aim of the study was to develop a program for monitoring students' walking and running according to the system "10,000 steps a day" during the spread of COVID-19 and to prove its effectiveness through improving body mass index and improving physical health. Study participants: students regardless of gender (n = 114). Interventions: The pedagogical research was carried out for 4 months. During the experiment, the students of the experimental group (n = 71) carried out self-monitoring of aerobic physical activity, consisting of walking and running, using the author's program according to the principle of "10,000 steps per day" in daily, weekly and monthly cycles. The study used diagnostics of general physical health, the level of functional readiness to perform loads and body mass index. Main outcome measures. The effectiveness of the implementation of the author's program for monitoring aerobic physical activity of students is statistically significant at p < .01 and p < .05. The implementation of the author's model of independent walking and running is effective only under the condition of systematic fulfilment of aerobic physical loads. Findings. The obtained research data showed that during the period of the spread of COVID-19, an active lifestyle of students, including daily walking and running, is possible and effective for physical health and the prevention of overweight.