European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Back ground & Aim: The main aim of this study was to determine the physical fitness index of the medical students using the modified Harvard step test and to compare the physical fitness between male and female medical students.
Methods: The study was conducted in department of Physiology, GMC Kathua (J&K). A total of 94 subjects were selected, of whom. 48 were male and 46 were female medical students, whose age varied from 17 to 24 years. The subjects selected for this study were medical students admitted for 1^st year MBBS Course. Descriptive data for age (years), gender height (m) and weight (Kg) were obtained and Body Mass Index was calculated.
Physical fitness index (PFI) was measured using the modified Harvard step test.
Results: In the present study, 29.8% students had Excellent Harvard Index, 38.9% good, 16.8% Average, 12.6% low average Harvard Index and 1.1% poor Harvard Index, 33.3% male showed excellent Harvard Index. On comparing the physical fitness between male and female medical students 47.8% female showed good Harvard Index indicating that on an average female were having a better PFI.
Conclusions: The study of population which were MBBS students had proportionally good and Excellent PFI this can be attributed to the fact that the medical students are having awareness about the alarming rise in lifestyle diseases and are more conscious about maintaining their physical fitness, physical appearance along with academics and want to excel in all spheres of life.