Health-preserving competence of future physical education teacher: terminological narrative in contemporary context

This article presents the results of a scientific study aimed at exploring theoretical narratives of health-preserving competence among future physical education teachers, as discussed in Ukrainian scientific research. The work marks the beginning of research in this direction, focusing on determining the possibilities of preparing future physical education teachers in higher education institutions to ensure the health preservation of students. Emphasis is placed on the importance of developing health-preserving competence as a key element among the professional competencies of future educators. The study highlights that current realities, such as the deterioration of children's health and prolonged stress due to war, make health preservation a necessary function not only for physical education teachers but also for all professionals working with children. The research indicates that the essence of health-preserving competence requires consideration through the prism of its component structure, which may be viewed differently by various scientific schools and researchers. Several approaches to understanding the structure of health-preserving competence are described, including its context in interacting with social, physical, and spiritual health, as well as different perspectives on its integrative nature and interaction with environmental conservation and self-realization. The authors stress the importance of clarifying the terms "competence" and its relation to "competency." The study also highlights a procedural approach to understanding competence based on the components of activity and associated with the formation of motivational-volitional, cognitive-value, practical- effective, and reflexive-adaptive components by future educators. As a result, two layers of competence are identified: external, which considers the integration of health preservation elements into the teacher's practical activities, and internal, reflecting the reconsideration of health values at the personal and professional levels.