Comparative analysis of health indicators in relation to sports activities among student youth in Kazakhstan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v81.118820Keywords:
blood pressure, body fat percentage, body mass index, personal training, physical activity, public health, waist circumferenceAbstract
Introduction: the study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a physical activity program in terms of its impact on the health of participants.
Objective: to achieve this goal, an integrated approach combining quantitative methods of assessment is employed.
Methodology A total of 150 participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n=37) followed a standard exercise program with general workouts twice weekly and lifestyle education; Group 2 (n=38) participated in an extended program with individual training sessions three times weekly, combining cardio, strength, and flexibility exercises, alongside personalized dietary and lifestyle advice; the control group (n=75) maintained their usual routines.
Results: The results indicated that Group 2 experienced the most significant improvements in health markers. The study’s findings support the efficacy of tailored training programs that incorporate frequent and diverse physical activity.
Discussion: Participants in Group 2, who received the extended program, demonstrated more significant improvements than those in other groups, emphasizing the significance of a comprehensive approach to physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
Conclusions: It is advised to include such personalized interventions into public health initiatives to achieve better outcomes in disease prevention and treatment.
References
Agans, J. P., Hanna, S., Weybright, E. H., & Son, J. S. (2022). College students’ perceptions of healthy and unhealthy leisure: Associations with leisure behaviour. Leisure Studies, 41(6), 787–801. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2022.2055773
Ali, S. F. (2020). Body measures according to physical activity, as predictors for elevated blood pressure among male college students, Minia, Upper Egypt. Minia Journal of Medical Research, 31(2), 340–351. https://doi.org/10.21608/mjmr.2022.221096
Andersen, L. B., & Schelin, B. (1994). Physical activity and performance in a random sample of adolescents attending school in Denmark. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 4(1), 13–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.1994.tb00400.x
Anischenko, A., Chebotareva, E., Zolnikova, O., Dzhakhaya, N., Bueverova, E., Sedova, A., Kurbatova, A., Zaborova, V., Shafaei, H., & Kinkulkina, M. (2024). Indicators of anthropometry, body mass index and the correlation between them as an assessment of the level of physical activity of medical students. Power System Technology, 48(1), 2295–2307.
Bazarbaeva, S., Dinmukhamedova, A., Tleubergenova, G., Rakhimzhanova, Z., Sembekova, K., Karbayeva, S., & Kuandykova, E. (2021). Morphofunctional and hematological characteristics of health in students from the northern and southern regions of Kazakhstan. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 9(A), 753–759. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.6434
Boccia, G., Rainoldi, A., & Brustio, P. R. (2017). Relative age effect in males, but not females, undergraduate students of sport science. Sport Sciences for Health, 13(2), 349–353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-017-0364-7
Botagariyev, T., Kolokoltsev, M., Romanova, E., Tissen, P., Ustselemova, N., Tonoyan, K., Bayankin, O., Kubiyeva, S., Mambetov, N., Stepanova, L., & Tretyakova, N. (2021). National and regional component of physical education curricula for schoolchildren in Kazakhstan and Russia. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 21(2), 860–867. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2021.02107
Brand, C., Sehn, A. P., Fochesatto, C. F., de Castro Silveira, J. F., Mota, J., Gomez, D. M., Gaya, A. R., Reuter, C. P., & Renner, J. D. P. (2022). Body fat percentage, cardiorespiratory fitness and arterial blood pressure in children and adolescents: A longitudinal analysis. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 22(1), Article 267. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02704-8
Brown, C. E., Richardson, K., Halil-Pizzirani, B., Atkins, L., Yücel, M., & Segrave, R. A. (2024). Key influences on university students’ physical activity: A systematic review using the Theoretical Domains Framework and the COM-B model of human behaviour. BMC Public Health, 24(1), Article 418. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17621-4
Chen, P., Wang, D., Shen, H., Yu, L., Gao, Q., Mao, L., Jiang, F., Luo, Y., Xie, M., Zhang, Y., Feng, L., Gao, F., Wang, Y., Liu, Y., Luo, C., Nassis, G. P., Krustrup, P., Ainsworth, B. E., Harmer, P. A., & Li, F. (2020). Physical activity and health in Chinese children and adolescents: Expert consensus statement (2020). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(22), 1321–1331. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102261
Córdoba Camacho, J.-H., Chiva-Bartoll, O., & Hernández Albarracín, J. D. (2026). Study of school sports in Boyacá (Colombia) and a future proposal based on the hybridization of the sport education and service-learning pedagogical models. Retos, 78(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v78.118326
Del Moral-Trinidad, L. E., Romo-González, T., Figueroa, Y. P. C., Enríquez, A. B., Exsome, C. P., & Campos-Uscanga, Y. (2021). Potential for body mass index as a tool to estimate body fat in young people. Enfermeria Clinica (English Edition), 31(2), 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli.2020.06.080
Domaradzki, J., Koźlenia, D., & Popowczak, M. (2022). Prevalence of positive effects on body fat percentage, cardiovascular parameters, and cardiorespiratory fitness after 10-week high-intensity interval training in adolescents. Biology, 11(3), 424. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11030424
Fagaras, P. S., Radu, L. E., Popovici, I. M., Enache, I. S., & Rus, C. M. (2024). Analyses of health status indicators and physical fitness level of medical students from Targu Mures. Broad Research in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience, 15(2), 122–143. https://doi.org/10.18662/brain/15.2/568
Fortes, L. S., Kakeshita, I. S., Almeida, S. S., Gomes, A. R., & Ferreira, M. E. (2014). Eating behaviours in youths: A comparison between female and male athletes and non-athletes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 24(1), e62–e68. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12098
Glazkova, G., Mamonova, O., Gracheva, D., & Pukhovskaya, M. (2020). Social aspects of physical education of students with deviations in health status. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 20(5), 2545–2553. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2020.05347
Grasdalsmoen, M., Eriksen, H. R., Lønning, K. J., & Sivertsen, B. (2020). Physical exercise, mental health problems, and suicide attempts in university students. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), Article 175. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02583-3
Herbert, C. (2022). Enhancing mental health, well-being and active lifestyles of university students by means of physical activity and exercise research programs. Frontiers in Public Health, 10(1), Article 849093. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.849093
Hermida Bravo, K. R., Ruperti-Lucero, E., Pinos-Medrano, V., & Andramuño-Cando, J. (2026). Contributions of recreational activities to cognitive and emotional development in students with diverse educational needs. Retos, 78(1), 667-678. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v78.118805
Komariah, M., Ibrahim, K., Pahria, T., Rahayuwati, L., & Somantri, I. (2022). Effect of mindfulness breathing meditation on depression, anxiety, and stress: A randomized controlled trial among university students. Healthcare, 11(1), Article 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11010026
Li, J., Zang, L., Hao, S., & Wang, H. (2025a). Comparative efficacy of different exercise types on body composition in university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Physiology, 16(1), Article 1537937. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2025.1537937
Li, L., Meng, F., Yao, S., Shi, Q., & Luo, C. (2025b). The effects of an 8-week functional training program on functional movement and physical fitness in male university students: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Public Health, 13(1), Article 1641590. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1641590
Lin, X., & Liu, H. (2023). A study on the effects of health behavior and sports participation on female college students' body mass index and healthy promoting lifestyle. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 1069219. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1069219
Lin, Y., & Gao, W. (2023). The effects of physical exercise on anxiety symptoms of college students: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 14(1), Article 1136900. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1136900
Moseid, C. H., Myklebust, G., Fagerland, M. W., Clarsen, B., & Bahr, R. (2018). The prevalence and severity of health problems in youth elite sports: A 6-month prospective cohort study of 320 athletes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 28(4), 1412–1423. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13047
Nurgul, T., Almukhambetova, B., Madaliyeva, Z., Nazirash, Z., Orazbekovna, B. L., & Bakytkyzy, T. N. (2018). Psycho-emotional state of students with special educational learning needs. Journal of Intellectual Disability–Diagnosis and Treatment, 6(4), 143-148. https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2018.06.04.2
Otaraly, S., Alikey, A., Sabyrbek, Z., Zhumanova, A., Martynenko, I., & Poteliuniene, S. (2020). Evaluation of Kazakhstan students' views on health, lifestyle, and physical activity. Sport Mont, 18(2), 67–72. https://doi.org/10.26773/smj.200607
Pan, M., Ying, B., Lai, Y., & Kuan, G. (2022). Status and influencing factors of physical exercise among college students in China: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), Article 13465. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013465
Pfisterer, J., Rausch, C., Wohlfarth, D., Bachert, P., Jekauc, D., & Wunsch, K. (2022). Effectiveness of physical-activity-based interventions targeting overweight and obesity among university students - a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 9427. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159427
Riboldi, I., Cavaleri, D., Calabrese, A., Capogrosso, C. A., Piacenti, S., Bartoli, F., Crocamo, C., & Carrà, G. (2023). Digital mental health interventions for anxiety and depressive symptoms in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Revista de Psiquiatria y Salud Mental, 16(Suppl 1), 47-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpsm.2022.04.005
Shalabi, K. M., AlSharif, Z. A., Alrowaishd, S. A., & Al Ali, R. E. (2023). Relationship between body mass index and health-related physical fitness: A cross-sectional study. European Review for Medical & Pharmacological Sciences, 27(20), 9540–9549. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202310_34127
Shozi, S., Monyeki, M. A., Moss, S. J., & Pienaar, C. (2022). Relationships between physical activity, body mass index, waist circumference and handgrip strength amongst adults from the North West province, South Africa: The PURE study. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 14(1), e1–e11. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3206
Song, L., Li, J., Yu, S., Cai, Y., He, H., Lun, J., Zheng, L., & Ye, J. (2023). Body Mass Index is Associated with blood pressure and vital capacity in medical students. Lipids in Health and Disease, 22(1), 174. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-023-01920-1
Song, X., Cui, X., Su, W., Shang, X., Tao, M., Wang, J., Liu, C., Sun, Y., & Yun, H. (2024). Comparative effects of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on weight and metabolic health in college students with obesity. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 16558. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-67331-z
Suad, A., Tapalova, O., Berestova, A., & Vlasova, S. (2025). Moodle’s communicative instruments: The impact on students academic performance. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 62(6), 1828-1842. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2024.2437117
Tsukahara, S., Yamaguchi, S., Igarashi, F., Uruma, R., Ikuina, N., Iwakura, K., Koizumi, K., & Sato, Y. (2020). Association of eHealth literacy with lifestyle behaviors in university students: Questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(6), e18155. https://doi.org/10.2196/18155
Ye, Y., Zhao, F., Sun, S., Xiong, J., & Zheng, G. (2022). The effect of Baduanjin exercise on health-related physical fitness of college students: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Public Health, 10(1), Article 965544. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.965544
Zhang, W., & Yu, L. (2021). Study on the exercise and nutrition intervention on body composition and fitness of female college students with invisible obesity. E3S Web of Conferences, 233(1), Article 02038. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202123302038
Zhou, H., & Hazel, D. (2024). The effect of aerobic exercise among obese college students: Towards an intervention program. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 14(2), 198–203. https://doi.org/10.54097/9qz5bk71.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Bakhytzhan Zholdasbek, Anastasiya Spaska, Andrei Aleshkin, Vadim Anurov
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
