Abstract Introduction: The article presents the results of the study of changes in the level of physical fitness of students of a humanitarian university and military academy cadets based on the choice of the CrossFit program in the process of physical education. Materials and Methods: The young men (n=92), aged 17- 18 years, (two experimental and two control groups) took part in the study of the level of physical fitness. The study was conducted for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were engaged in the CrossFit program. The motivation for choosing the CrossFit program by the participants in the experiment (n=48) was determined using a specially designed questionnaire ʼThe Motives for Participating in Exercises Measureʼ on the example CrossFit. Results: For cadets, the results of sit-up and push-up have a significant increase (p<0.05). A more significant increase is observed in squats with kettlebell (7kg) and burpee (p<0.01, p<0.001). The results of students in sit-up, push-up, burpee have a significant increase (p<0.05). For participants in the experiment, the most common motives for choosing the CrossFit program for physical education classes were the following: ʼto adjust the body shape, make me more courageous and athletic, increase muscleʼ; ʼto increase my activity and vitalityʼ; ʼto improve my endurance, performance, reduce fatigue during physical loadsʼ. For students, motives for health promotion are of higher priority than for cadets. Conclusions: The result of the motivated use of the CrossFit program for 12 weeks was a significant improvement in the physical condition of the students and cadets.
Keywords: students, cadets, physical education, CrossFit program, motivation, higher education, physical activity