Humanitarian Military Journal

The paper examines the methods providing the evidence-based approach to and logical integrity of dissertations in the professional education system. The theoretical and methodological approach is based on the criteria of an evidence-based dissertation in the field of education approved by the Russian Academy of Education and the Presidium of the State Commission for Academic Degrees and Titles of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia in 2023 and the national standard of the structure of the dissertation and abstract (GOST R 7.0.11-2011). It was found that the evidence base in pedagogical research is determined by the correct methods, the sufficient empirical base, and the methodological consistency of topic–problem/task–object–subject–goal–tasks–hypothesis–novelty–provisions submitted for defense–conclusion sections. Based on an analysis of common methodological errors identified by local researchers (Zagvyazinsky, Meretukova, and others) and the principle of alignment (consistency of research questions, design, and methods), the authors propose an algorithm for expert verification of evidence, including 16 steps grouped into five verification sections. The algorithm is presented as a flowchart and is designed for the practice-oriented research in professional education, where reproducibility, implementation of findings, and their correlation with regulations (federal state educational standards, professional standards, and employer requirements) are of particular importance.

BACKGROUND: Physical training methods for military personnel who operate special equipment are poorly developed as most approaches are focused on cognitive development; whereas there is limited research on maintaining important professional psychophysical traits in established professionals. Planned activities with physical game activities may be used as an alternative to pharmaceuticals.

AIM: This work aimed to theorise and experimentally test the efficacy of game physical activities (rugby) on the information processing rate as a key cognitive trait of military operators and analysts (signal officers, military equipment operators).

METHODS: A two-week pedagogical experiment involved 20 military personnel divided into the control (n = 10) and the intervention (n = 10) groups. The intervention group had an hour of daily physical training using rugby-style game exercises as part of their planned activities. Cognitive abilities were tested using the Landolt C with the calculation of the information processing rate (S, bit/s). Nonparametric Mann–Whitney and Wilcoxon tests were used.

RESULTS: Initial S values in the groups were comparable (p > 0.05). The experiment shows that intergroup differences were insignificant (p = 0.049 compared to the significance level of 0.05). Moreover, intragroup analysis revealed a significant improvement only in the intervention group (p < 0.05). In the control group, no changes were observed (p > 0.05). A lower variability was recorded in the intervention group, which indicates cognitive stabilization.

CONCLUSION: Game physical activities in the daily routine of military personnel contribute to a reliable increase in the stability of information processing rate and may be recommended for improving the professional attention of military personnel.

The paper presents a summary of a pedagogical system for the professional development of penal system employees in current conditions, when the development of a department is determined by both the logic of the digital transformation of public administration and the focus on the humanization of penal policy. This study is based on the fact that for employees of penal institutions and authorities, regulatory and professional algorithms are no longer sufficient. Today, digital competence, interdepartmental interaction, communications, pedagogically sound communication skills, stress resistance, and a willingness to support social rehabilitation and probation processes are becoming increasingly important. This study is aimed to reveal the structure, principles, content, and pedagogical operating conditions of the professional development system of penal system employees. The methods include systemic, competency-based, andragogical, activity-based, and axiological approaches; analysis of regulations; comparative analysis, and generalization of pedagogical and psychological publications. We propose an interpretation of the pedagogical system as a continuous, multi-level, and practice-oriented arrangement of training, education, mentoring, self-development, and testing of human resources. The paper identifies its target, axiological-normative, substantive, technological, subject-organizational, and assessment components. The pedagogical conditions for the system's implementation are substantiated, including personalization of educational routes, integration of digital education and mentoring, improvement of the human rights and communication training, development of reflective practices, and linking the continuing professional education to real-life professional tasks. It is concluded that sustainable professional development of penal system employees is only possible by combining digital performance and a humanistic focus of professional activities.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary professional military practices, including in the special military operation zone, involve high physical stress and require a very good health, which is largely determined by adequate nutrition. One of the key informative health indicators is the nutritional status, which quickly responds to changes in operating conditions and shows how military personnel adapts to environmental factors. Body composition and morphofunctional status are an integral part of nutritional status. The effect of high physical stress on the body composition and morphofunctional status of military personnel remains relevant.

AIM: To study the effect of a 21-day cycle of high physical stress on the morphofunctional status and body composition of military personnel to assess the efficiency of this approach in quickly improving their physical condition.

METHODS: A total of 15 male military personnel aged 22 to 27 years were examined using the anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance analysis.

RESULTS: The study revealed a significant increase in the muscle body composition (skeletal muscle and active cell mass) and the estimated shoulder muscle circumference. However, fat composition (fat mass, body fat percentage, and visceral fat area) remained unchanged. This is consistent with the anthropometric analysis.

CONCLUSION: The study showed a positive effect of 21-day proportioned high physical stress on the nutritional status and body composition of military personnel.

The increasing number of military personnel with lower limb amputations caused by battle or other injuries increases the need for a fair and comparable assessment of their functional performance in the context of medical rehabilitation and physical training system. However, the existing physical fitness monitoring practices often shift towards strength exercises; whereas the use of endurance assessment as a key integral cardiorespiratory health and overall performance indicator is limited. The review generalizes contemporary approaches to endurance assessment of individuals with amputations, with an emphasis on its applicability to professional military missions, and proposes methods for comparing tests with regulations based on the level of amputation. Research and analysis allowed us to classify the functional performance indicators and criteria (including the heart rate response and recovery after exercise, tolerance of submaximal load). The study discusses a possible adaptation of tests (6-minute walk test) and clinical examinations (bicycle ergometer exercise, arm and combined ergometer exercise, and swimming) to different types of amputations. It has been shown that the level of amputation determines the movement energy requirements and the cardiovascular response, requiring a differentiated selection of tests and accurate interpretation. We propose practice-oriented grounds for the introduction of alternative endurance tests and the development of an adapted assessment scale providing for more fair functional performance monitoring and manageable training for military personnel with prosthetic devices.