Relay Races as a Teaching Tool: A Guest Lecture for BDPU Students

On 9 October 2026, a guest lecture entitled “Relay Races in Physical Education: Teaching Methods, Organisation, and Use in Extracurricular and Mass Participation Events” was held for first-, second-, and third-year students enrolled in the educational and professional programme “Secondary Education (Physical Education)” at Berdiansk State Pedagogical University (BDPU). The event was organised by the Department of Physical Culture, Sports and Teaching Methods of the Faculty of Physical Culture, Sports and Human Health.

The guest lecturer was Dmytro Oleksandrovych Khrystenko, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and lecturer at the Department of Theory and Methods of Physical Education, Municipal Institution “Kharkiv Humanitarian-Pedagogical Academy” of the Kharkiv Regional Council.

From Methodological Principles to Practical Solutions

The lecture focused on methods of teaching relay races, approaches to organising them for different age groups, and ways of using them in physical education lessons, extracurricular activities, and mass participation sporting events. Topics included selecting exercises to meet learning objectives, organising teamwork, developing motor abilities, and observing safety requirements.

Students as Active Participants

A distinctive feature of the session was the practical tasks completed by the students. This format enabled them not only to explore methodological approaches but also to apply them in learning activities, consider the stages involved in organising relay races, and understand the educational potential of team-based movement games.

The practical component helped future physical education teachers develop methodological thinking and skills in adapting activities to participants’ ages and abilities, sustaining interest in physical activity, and facilitating effective teamwork.

Collaboration that Strengthens Professional Preparation

The guest lecture demonstrated how academic partnership can be combined with practice-oriented teacher education. Students will be able to apply the knowledge and experience gained while studying their professional subjects and in their future teaching careers.

The Department of Physical Culture, Sports and Teaching Methods sincerely thanks Dmytro Oleksandrovych Khrystenko for an informative session, a valuable exchange of professional experience, and his focus on students’ practical preparation. We look forward to further cooperation between BDPU and Kharkiv Humanitarian-Pedagogical Academy.

Nataliia Mykolaivna Polishchuk,
Head of the Department of Physical Culture,
Sports and Teaching Methods, BDPU