The Influence of Sports on Emotional Control in Cadets of the National Guard Оf Ukraine at the Beginning of the War

Background The ability to adequately respond to various emotional situations is vital for law enforcement officers to work effectively in peacetime. In times of war, the importance of emotional control increases. Material and methods A survey (in Google forms) of cadets of the Kyiv Institute of the National Guard of Ukraine (n=282) was conducted. Depending on whether they played sports, the respondents were divided into 2 groups (n=171 and n=111, respectively). Spielberger’s method was advocated. And the Courtlaud Emotional Control Scale. Results The anxiety levels of athlete cadets and those who had stopped regular training did not differ. An average level of emotional control was recorded. The anxiety control score was close to low. Significant differences were found in the anxiety and depression control scores of cadets who regularly performed physical exercise and those who did not participate in sports. Conclusions At the beginning of the war, the level of anxiety among cadets was high. Among cadets who play sports, there was no high level of anxiety control, aggression, or depression, as expected from athletes. This can be explained by the different intensity of emotions and their control, as well as the insufficient duration of sports training among cadets.