IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF GROUP TRAINING HIGHLAND CAMPS FOR STUDENTS FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE SPORTS TEAMS OF THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF PLOVDIV

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find and analyze contemporary data on the importance and benefits of conducting sports training camps at high altitude for students from the Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, participants in representative sports teams, after an exam session. To fulfill the purpose of this study, we collected and analyzed contemporary data from the available literature. We systematized the scientific information found into two groups of indicators influenced by the participation of students in high-altitude sports camps – physiological adaptation of the body and psychological effects. We have divided the physiological changes that occur in the body when exercising at high altitude into several categories - increased blood capacity to carry oxygen, improved cardiovascular health, positive changes in the musculoskeletal system, improved metabolism. The reduced oxygen concentration leads to stimulation of the erythropoietic process - an increase in the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin concentration. These changes improve aerobic endurance and overall performance. Increased aerobic function is especially beneficial for students, aiding long-term concentration and physical endurance in conditions of intense mental and physical activity. Sports training at altitude contributes to increasing the efficiency of the cardiovascular system. Organized sports activities, temporary separation from the home environment and mountain conditions are a prerequisite for reducing stress, improving mood, building team spirit, strengthening leadership qualities and other positive psychological changes. Physical activity, especially in a natural environment, reduces the levels of stress hormones – cortisol and adrenaline – and stimulates the release of endorphins, which leads to an increase in mood and general mental well-being. This effect is especially important for students preparing for a professional career that requires high resilience and emotional stability. Group camps provide an opportunity to develop communication and organizational skills through joint planning, task execution and problem solving in extreme conditions. In addition, mountain sports camps improve the educational process and help restore students from higher education institutions after a session. In the modern context of medical education, where mental activity is in the center of attention, there is an increasingly frequent tendency to integrate physical activity into the educational process. High-mountain camps are not only a means of physical training, but also an important component of a holistic approach to the development of students. Based on the conducted research and practical observations, we give a recommendation to stimulate students from higher medical educational institutions to participate in organized sports mountain camps after the end of the exam session.