Evaluation of physical fitness parameters among future doctors of Belgaum – A cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Medical education with its vast curriculum and rigorous training  is often very stressful and leads to physical inactivity and poor nutrition as a negative consequence. Medical students as future health care providers  are responsible for the good health of our citizens and therefore our study is aimed to study the interrelation between physical inactivity and health of medical student.

Methods: This cross -sectional study was conducted among 80 undergraduate MBBS students. Quota sampling method was used to identify 40 students from first year and 20 each from second and third year. A pretested, semi structured questionnaire including information about age, sex, attitude and practice of physical activity was collected. Anthropometric parameters and Physical performance parameters were assessed. Data entry was done using Excel sheet and statistical analysis was done in SPSS 23.0

Results: Mean BMI of subjects in the sample is 23.72 ± 5.31 (kg/m2). Majority of subjects in the sample are with  normal BMI followed by obese whereas 9 (11.25%) of subjects are underweight  Mean of SBP and DBP in the sample is 115.33 ± 16.03 and 76.35 ± 10.23 (mmHg) respectively. Out of 80 subjects , most of them 76 (95%) had poor physical fitness score whereas one subject each had good and excellent Physical fitness test score .48 (60%) of 80 subjects in the sample had intermediate agility score .53 of 80 subjects had Central obesity and 25 had truncal obesity i. e; 25 (47.17%) of 50 central obesity subjects had truncal obesity

Conclusion: This  study reiterates the importance of physical activity as way of primary prevention to achieve healthy life and encourages implantation of comprehensive health programmes in medical curriculum.