ISSN 2786-4561 (printed)
ISSN 2786-457X (online)

Vol.6.2 (2025). рр. 137-144

Analysis of the development of orienteering in the city of Kyiv during 2016–2025 among students of secondary education institutions

Radchenko A.

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4366-1179

Zhytnyk V.

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2237-6302

Barinov M.

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5174-2381

Taras Shevchenko National University, Kyiv, Ukraine

https://doi.org/10.17721/2786-4561.2025.6.2.-15/15

Annotation.This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the development of orienteering among secondary school students in Kyiv during 2016–2025. The introduction emphasizes the increasing relevance of integrating physical activity with cognitive and spatial skill development within the modern educational environment. The methods included the examination of official competition calendars, mapping of locations used for events, and comparative assessment of student participation across the city’s administrative districts. Particular attention was paid to the characteristics of urban, forest, park and mixed terrains and their suitability for various competition formats. The results demonstrate a significant rise in the number of events after 2022, largely due to the relative safety of Kyiv’s forest-park areas and the launch of the national school initiative “Plich-o-Plich,” where orienteering became one of the mandatory sports. Holosiivskyi district emerged as the most frequently used and most active location, offering diverse terrain and strong accessibility. Other districts showed varying levels of involvement depending on the availability of appropriate landscapes and logistical conditions. Analysis of participation patterns among boys and girls revealed similar territorial trends, although numerical differences remained. The conclusions highlight the diversification of competition locations, the growing integration of urban territories into orienteering practice and expanded opportunities for school participation. The study underscores the role of orienteering in developing decision-making skills, spatial reasoning, self-organization and physical endurance, confirming its increasing significance within Kyiv’s educational and recreational environment.

Keywords: orienteering, school students, competition locations, Kyiv, participation dynamics, educational environment.

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Declaration of the Conflict of Interest