Adaptation of international college students through physical education

Aim: This paper aims to develop and test a model for the pedagogical support of first-year international students’ adaptation through physical education. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Research Center for Sports Science and the Multidisciplinary College of the Institute of Sport, Tourism, and Service at South Ural State University (Chelyabinsk, Russia). Participants included 30 male international students in their first or second year from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, as well as faculty members and psychological service specialists. The study utilized the following methods: adaptability assessment (Self-Assessment of Psychological Adaptability, Assessment of Emotional-Behavioral Adaptability), body composition analysis (Tanita segmental body composition analyzer), phy­sical fitness testing, and statistical analysis. Results. The findings demonstrate a positive impact of regular physical education on overall well-being, physical performance, and academic success among international students. Conclusion. This study underscores the importance of the systematic assessment of international students’ health and physical fitness. The proposed model proved effective in monitoring students’ physical and psychophysiological states and in promoting a healthy lifestyle.