MENTAL HEALTH, EMBODIED RESILIENCE, AND ATHLETIC LONGEVITY: A CASE STUDY OF A VETERAN COMBAT ATHLETE'S PSYCHOLOGICAL ADAPTATION UNDER STRESS, CHANGE, AND FORCED MIGRATION

Olha Cherepiekhina; Vladymyr Rudchenko

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(46).2025.3304

Olha Cherepiekhina Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of Department of Information Technologies, Private higher educational institution Dnipro Technological University STEP (Dnipro technological university Step), Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6970-1217
Vladymyr Rudchenko Master of Physical Education and Sports, Coaching Stuff, Expert in Conditioning, Strength, Endurance, Flexibility, and Techniques, Club Dinamo, Los Angeles, California, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4695-8083

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(46).2025.3304

Keywords: Mental Health, Resilience, Sport Longevity, Forced Migration, Psychological Adaptation, Veteran Athletes, Embodied Resilience

Abstract

This article explores the role of sport as a system of psychological support and embodied resilience in the context of stress, change, and forced migration. Using a qualitative case study of Volodymyr Rudchenko, a veteran judo and sambo athlete, we examine how structured physical activity, social integration through sport, and modern health technologies contribute to mental health and athletic longevity among displaced individuals over 40 years of age. The study highlights the mechanisms by which sport serves as a critical tool for maintaining psychological stability, rebuilding personal identity, and fostering community belonging after major life disruptions. Findings suggest that the combination of cognitive-behavioral strategies, embodiment practices, and systematic health monitoring enables veteran athletes to successfully adapt to new environments and sustain competitive performance. The article proposes the "Embodied Resilience Model for Displaced Athletes" as a conceptual framework for developing targeted support programs in the fields of public health, social adaptation, and veteran athlete welfare.

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