From the Editorial Board

It is with great pleasure that we introduce the journal "Physical Culture, Recreation and Rehabilitation". Our mission is to promote national, international, and interdisciplinary scientific communication while strengthening the links between scientists around the world.
The journal places a special emphasis on studies exploring the impact of military conflicts and other social upheavals on the health and well-being of affected populations, taking into account practices of physical culture, recreation, and/or rehabilitation within the context of physical culture.

The prerequisites for the creation of the journal"Physical Culture, Recreation and Rehabilitation" were three important factors: the impact of physical activity on athletes of different ages and enthusiasts of physical activity in the long term; social upheavals affecting health and behavior in society; and the recent historical commonality of sports and wellness systems, as well as the shared experience of social upheavals in Eastern European countries. The integration of these three key factors necessitates the search for appropriate solutions.

In this context, the first factor highlights the unique potential of the means and methods of physical culture for the recreation and rehabilitation of various population groups. Numerous studies confirm that the means and methods of physical culture possess exceptional potential for strengthening, maintaining, and restoring the health of both athletes and the physically active population.
The unprecedented nature of research results lies in the fact that physical culture addresses a wide range of needs – from achieving maximum individual potential in sports to simple restorative exercises and comprehensive programs aimed at rehabilitation after injuries, psycho-emotional trauma, and chronic diseases. This factor underscores the key role of physical culture as a tool for improving quality of life in modern conditions. Therefore, the first factor defines the mission of science and the scientific journal as the need for an in-depth study and the popularization of the potential of physical culture as a universal tool for recreation and rehabilitation.

The second key factor influencing the decision to create the journal was a series of significant events in societal life: the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine. It is particularly important to note that the prolonged war has created hazardous living conditions for the population, significantly increasing physical and psychological risks. This, in turn, has posed unconventional challenges for the system of recreational and rehabilitation activities, requiring adaptation to extreme conditions, including providing physical and psychological support to the population under heightened stress, limited access to resources, and health threats.

The third factor that served as a prerequisite for the creation of the journal specifically in Eastern Europe (Kharkiv, Ukraine) is the shared historical foundation of the countries of the former "socialist bloc." This includes similar systems of recreational and rehabilitation activities using the means and methods of physical culture, as well as a common experience of social upheavals in recent history. Among these are the war in Ukraine, ongoing since 2014; the war in Georgia in 2008; the suppression of public dissent involving military forces in Lithuania in 1991; the military suppression of protests using armed forces and armored vehicles in Czechoslovakia in 1968 and Hungary in 1956; as well as the military conflicts in Moldova and the former Yugoslavia.
These historical and contemporary events underscore the necessity of adapting recreational and rehabilitation systems to conditions of social instability and crises. In such situations, a significant portion of the population becomes vulnerable, facing serious consequences for both their physical and psycho-emotional health. Limited opportunities for recreational and rehabilitation activities exacerbate these consequences, leading to destructive effects on both health and society. All of this highlights the importance of creating a journal "Physical Culture, Recreation and Rehabilitation" that can serve as a valuable guide, bringing together the best scientific practices to address these challenges.

In this context, the key phrase “Physical Culture” in the journal’s title serves as a unifying component, encompassing sports, recreational, and rehabilitation activities. In conditions of social instability, the publication of research results inspires hope that they can help society cope with crisis situations. Thus, “Physical Culture” becomes not only a theoretical foundation but also a practical tool that ensures an interdisciplinary approach to preserving and enhancing health. This makes it an indispensable element of modern recreational and rehabilitation systems, contributing to the proper sustenance of both the population and society as a whole.

The journal will attract the attention of researchers not only from Eastern European countries but also from other regions of the world. It is intended to serve as a platform for international collaboration, the prompt exchange of experiences, and the unification of efforts in addressing pressing issues. Special emphasis will be placed on adapting recreational and rehabilitation activities to conditions of social instability and crisis upheavals.