ARCHERY AS A TOOL FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION OF EXCOMBATANTS

Abstract

The article provides a theoretical analysis and empirical research on the use of archery classes as an effective tool for the psychological rehabilitation of ex-combatants. The effectiveness of archery training as a means of improving a person's physical and mental state has been theoretically confirmed, namely: they improve the mobility and balance of nervous processes, simple and complex sensorimotor reactions, attention, memory; significantly affect a person's emotional and psychological state, increase self-confidence, self-awareness, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, etc.; strengthen strength endurance and improve physical condition. Psychological rehabilitation of ex-combatants was carried out on the basis of the rehabilitation center of the Volyn Regional War Veterans Hospital, the Communal Enterprise "Medical Center for the Rehabilitation of Combatants of the Lutsk City Territorial Community" and the rehabilitation department of the Volyn Regional Clinical Hospital. No less than 85 male ex-combatants were involved in the rehabilitation program aged 30–45 years who received physical and psychological injuries and were undergoing inpatient treatment and rehabilitation were involved in the rehabilitation program. On the basis of a developed semi-structured clinical interview and a written questionnaire, the main psychological features (emotional and cognitive manifestations) of each of the participants were diagnosed. Rehabilitation specialists pre-selected participants, taking into account contraindications to this type of exercise. Most respondents noted positive emotional feelings already after the first shot (smiles on the face, surprise, exclamations, interest, communication between participants, etc.). The researchers noted that shooting allows you to forget negative memories, get new impressions, and switch to positive feelings. During training, many ex-combatants noticed that after the second or third session their coordination improves, tremors disappear, body muscle control is restored, posture stabilizes, etc. This was especially characteristic of soldiers with ecobarotraumas. As a result, our research confirms the positive therapeutic effect of archery for recovery (psychological rehabilitation) of ex-combatants.