The health-preserving technologies in the system of university education of Russia

This article looks at the different varieties of health-saving technology used in education, with special emphasis on relying on such technology in higher education institutions for the purpose of preserving students’ health. Using the traditional document analysis, we single out the key topics that researchers and experts pay the most attention to in their papers on the subject. The purpose of this article is to raise scientists’, researchers’, and teachers’ awareness of the issue of student health, particularly the need for finding ways to safeguard and optimize student health. While studies of social factors linked to the health of children and teenagers are becoming more and more substantial and productive, the health of young adults and students in particular still receives very little coverage, due to the insufficient statistics used in the healthcare and governance system, as well as due to limited research opportunities. Research document analysis shows that Russian colleges and universities usually rely (to various degrees) on six key types of health-saving technology: physical training (PE classes, sports clubs, therapeutic exercise); educational activities (valeology, health and safety instructions, talks and consultations on health issues); use of mental health knowledge and psychology (consultations with a psychologist, training sessions, relaxation rooms); activities related to healthcare and hygiene (medical screenings, clinical examinations, monitoring); recreational activities and infrastructure (visits to recreational facilities and leisure centers, discount vacations, relaxation tips); and workplace safety technology (engineering and technical support, civil defense, fire safety). Out of the above, physical training, workplace safety, and educational activities are the main types of technology used for supporting and improving the health of students in Russian higher education institutions. When looking at the history of the Russian higher education system, we can see that the higher education institutions that actively introduce new health-saving technology to support their students and motivate them to pursue a healthy lifestyle prove to be more viable in the long run. As Russia is shifting to a predominantly intensive economic development model, health-saving education technology is becoming an integral aspect of professional growth.

students, health-preservation, university education, health