Features of the Composition of Means and Problems of Physical Recreation

The population declining health demonstrates the difficulty of addressing health issues through physical education. One reason for this is the marked predominance of physical education developmental forms over recreational ones. This imbalance is exacerbated by disagreements regarding the physical recreational resources’ composition. Based on the resources used, recreation can be considered a physical education auxiliary developmental aspect, the only difference being that it is conducted outside of working hours. This view diminishes the physical recreation potential as a health-improving approach to ensuring a high quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine the physical recreational resources composition to maintain optimal func-tional health in people's daily lives and professional activities. Research methods. The research methods used were a literary data content analysis and a variational pulseometry method, the results of which reflect the body current functional state, which is influenced by various types of activity. Research results. A study of the means composition used in physical recreation revealed that they largely do not meet its generic definition and do not contribute to the restoration and maintenance of the body's key systems optimal functional state. Requirements for the composition and content of physical recreational means have been established. These requirements, when met, ensure the achievement of the physical recreation primary goal - maintaining the health of various ages individuals. Breathing exercises, which have a significant potential impact on the body's neuroendocrine-immune complex, best meet these requirements. Conclusion. The main problems with physical recreation lie in the vagueness of its purpose and its place within the physical culture structure and, consequently, the insufficient justification for the means used. The physical recreation place within the structure of physical culture lies in the need to compensate for the current functional resources’ expenditure during daily life. The use of physical recreational means is not limited to leisure time but should be used at any time as needed. The selection of the motor component of physical recreational means should be carried out in accordance with the proposed requirements for their content: short duration and low level of muscle contraction force, ensuring their high degree of localization. To the greatest extent, these requirements are satisfied by breathing exercises, which should form the basis of the physical recreational means motor component.