Physical Fitness Index of Medical Students in Thrissur, Kerala, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity forms an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Inadequate physical activity is a major risk factor for non communicable diseases. It is necessary to identify the status of physical fitness of medical students who are the future professionals of healthcare. There are various parameters available to assess the physical fitness of an individual. Modified Harvard step test is a tool used for assessing cardiopulmonary fitness, which is employed in this study. Aim: To compare the physical fitness of medical students who were regular basketball players, with sedentary medical students, using cardiovascular parameters. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India, from April 2017 to April 2018. Total 60 medical students of both gender, in the age group 18-25 years, out of which 30 were athletes and 30 non athletes, were selected by simple random sampling. Physical fitness index was measured after the subjects performed modified Harvard step test. The duration of exercise and the recovery heart rates were considered. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test, correlation and regression tests, Independent t-test and Paired t-test, for which, p-value <0.05 was significant. Results: The mean age of the athletes was 20.97±1.69 years and non athletes was 21.40±1.42 years. Lower Body Mass Index (BMI), resting pulse rate and after exercise recovery pulse rates were found in athletes which were statistically significant (p-value <0.05). The duration of exercise and Physical Fitness Index (PFI) were found to be higher in athletes than non athletes and was statistically significant (p-value <0.001). Physical fitness was thus found to be higher in athletes compared to non athletes. Conclusion: The study indicated that students who had routine physical training had better fitness levels than sedentary students.