On the issue of choosing a type of combat sport during physical education classes in high school

Purpose. Based on the analysis of scientific literature and practical experience, to substantiate the choice of martial arts system for implementation in the process of physical education in high school. Materials and Methods. Research methods: the study utilized analysis and synthesis of contemporary scientific and methodological literature, as well as relevant online sources, in combination with the generalization of practical experience. Results. For the first time, this review article presents a comparative critical analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of various combat sports, including traditional martial arts, Eastern martial systems, and national styles. Based on the findings derived from the literature, the paper substantiates the feasibility (or lack thereof) of introducing specific types of combat sports to support the harmonious personal development of high school students within the framework of physical education. Characteristic features and potential health-related risks associated with representatives of the three aforementioned groups are examined in detail. Conclusions. The choice of physical activity types for high school physical education should be grounded in a balance of physiological safety, methodological consistency, and age-appropriate adaptation. Eastern martial arts, owing to their structural clarity and strong educational focus, are significantly more appropriate for integration into the physical education curriculum of general secondary schools compared to mixed martial arts (MMA), as well as national Ukrainian styles such as Boyovyi Hopak, Spas, Horting, and belt wrestling. Although these national systems are visually impressive and culturally resonant, their intense physical demands on adolescents and limited relevance for practical self-defense purposes, in our view, make them less suitable for systematic implementation in school-based physical education.