Assessment of physical fitness of undergraduate medical students as assessed by cardiorespiratory efficiency tests in sports physiology laboratory

Abstract

Background: Most often, it is of interest to know the individual's capacity for physical work. A reduction of this capacity might be the first sign of disease. Further, the lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyles in the young generation particularly students have been a matter of concern in recent days. Cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the most important parameters of physical fitness and is assessed by cardiorespiratory efficiency tests. These tests include assessment of VO 2 Max, 40mm Hg Test, Breath Holding Test. Aim: To study the physical fitness of undergraduate medical students based on the assessment of cardiorespiratory efficiency tests in Sports Physiology Laboratory of MGIMS Methods: A total of 60 MBBS students (32 boys and 28 girls) of Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, Wardha were included in the study from different levels of the course within the age group of 17-25 years. History was recorded followed by anthropometry and clinical examination. Body mass index (BMI) and Body surface area (BSA) were calculated. Resting pulse rate and blood pressure, resting respiratory rate, VO2 Max, Physical fitness index (PFI), breath holding time (BHT), and 40 mm Hg endurance test time were measured. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 16. Results: The mean value of BMI (Body mass index) was 22.15 ± 1.98. The mean value of BSA (Body surface area) was 2.43 ± 0.12. The mean value of PFI (%) was 79.12 ± 4.53. The mean value of 40 mm Hg endurance test (seconds) was 38.96 ± 4.62. The mean value of BHT (seconds) was 45.13± 5.98. The VO2 Max value evaluated by modified Harvard step test using Astrand-Ryhming Nomogram was 42.17 ml/kg/min (range, 31 to 56 ml/kg/min) Conclusion: Baseline normative data for parameters of cardiorespiratory efficiency tests namely VO2 Max, Physical fitness index (PFI), breath holding time (BHT), and 40 mm Hg endurance test time were established in the present study which have laid the foundation for future studies.