Implementation of GTO Standards in the System of Physical Training of University Students: Problems and Solutions

In accordance with the Strategy for the Development of Physical Culture and Sports until 2030, the All-Russian Physical Culture and Sports Complex “Ready for Labor and Defense” (GTO) is defined as a key tool for involving the population in sports. However, the implementation of the complex in the system of physical training of students faces a number of problems. The purpose of the study is to analyze the problems of implementing GTO standards in universities and justify ways to solve them. Methods: analysis of statistical data, generalization of the experience of Russian universities, systematization of the results of experimental studies. The analysis of scientific publications and the results of the author’s empirical study indicate that the level of students’ readiness to meet the GTO standards remains low and, across different samples, does not exceed 15–17%. The most problematic areas consistently include endurance and strength performance indicators. A contradiction has been identified between students’ high awareness of the GTO complex and their insufficient actual participation. The motivational structure is characterized by the predominance of external incentives, while intrinsic motivation remains weakly expressed. The effectiveness of specialized training methodologies that ensure a significant increase in physical performance indicators has been confirmed. The study concludes that a comprehensive approach to the implementation of the GTO complex is required, including methodological improvement of physical education classes, differentiation of training according to students’ preparedness level, and expansion of incentive mechanisms.