Dr. Sc.Hist., Associate Professor A.B. Orishev¹
Dr. Sc.Phil., Professor A.A. Mamedov¹
PhD, Associate Professor M.V. Sherstyuk^1
1Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Moscow

Objective of the study is to reconstruct the historical stages in the development of the GTO programme at Timiryazev Academy and, based on an analysis of the motivation of current students, to identify ways in which historical experience can be used to promote the physical education movement at an agricultural university.
Methods and structure of the study. The methodological basis of the study comprised: the comparative-historical method, analysis of the university’s policy documents, and analysis of data from a sociological survey of students. The study reconstructs three key stages in the development of the programme at Timiryazev Academy: the military mobilisation stage; the stage of labour mobilisation and the mass physical culture movement; and the contemporary recreational and incentive stage, characterised by voluntary participation, health promotion and a system of material rewards. The empirical section is based on an analysis of large-scale competitions to meet the GTO standards, held at the academy in September 2025 with the participation of over 800 students and 120 lecturers, which allowed for a comparison of historical traditions with contemporary practices.
Results and conclusions. The sociological survey revealed the dominance of pragmatic motives for participation: obtaining extra marks and benefits (52.88% of respondents), the desire to obtain the GTO badge as a status symbol (50.52%) and improving physical fitness (42.93%), whereas the influence of the older generation (12.3%) and lecturers (18.32%) proved to be the least significant. A small but important group of students was identified – bearers of ‘historical memory’ – who can act as ambassadors of tradition within the student community. Practical recommendations involve developing a model for promoting the GTO in agricultural universities, based not on a direct appeal to the past, but on the organic integration of historical foundations into a modern system of pragmatic incentives and rewards, including the strengthening of bonus mechanisms. The results obtained can be applied in the development of strategies for the development of physical culture and sport in agricultural and specialised universities, as well as in the practical work of GTO testing centres.

Keywords: GTO programme, Timiryazev Academy, historical experience, agricultural university, student motivation.

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