PEDAGOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR APPLYING FREESTYLE WRESTLING EXERCISES AND TECHNIQUES TO DEVELOP THE PHYSICAL FITNESS OF GENERAL SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (GRADES 5–9)

Abstract

The development of students' physical fitness has become one of the priority objectives of modern school education. Physical education is expected not only to improve children's health but also to foster motor competence, social responsibility, emotional resilience, and lifelong engagement in physical activity. Among various sports incorporated into school physical education, freestyle wrestling has considerable educational value because it integrates strength, speed, agility, flexibility, balance, coordination, and tactical thinking within a single learning process. The purpose of this theoretical review is to examine the pedagogical foundations for integrating freestyle wrestling exercises and techniques into physical education classes for students in Grades 5–9. The study is based on an analysis of contemporary scientific literature, international recommendations, and pedagogical theories related to physical education and motor learning. The review indicates that appropriately selected wrestling exercises improve physical preparedness while simultaneously enhancing students' discipline, confidence, cooperation, and self-control. The findings also suggest that wrestling-based activities increase students' motivation toward physical education lessons by providing diverse, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Successful implementation requires systematic lesson planning, qualified teachers, adherence to safety standards, and consideration of students' age and individual characteristics. The paper concludes that freestyle wrestling can serve as an effective pedagogical tool for improving both physical fitness and holistic personality development in secondary school students.