Abstract

Physical fitness implies not only the absence of disabling deformity of disease and the capacity to perform a sedentary task efficiently but also a sense of physical well being and the capacity to deal with emergencies demanding unaccustomed physical effort. There is a need to know the physical fitness levels of our future doctors. They can be sensitised to pursue a healthy life style right from the begining of their medical career. The present study was undertaken to assess the physical fitness index using modified Harvard Step Test.
Present Cross Sectional Observational Study was conducted in Department of physiology, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad [MH], India in Medical Students of 1^st MBBS. The physical fitness of 192 male and 173 female medical students was evaluted using modified Harvard Step method 25.2% of study subject had excellent physical fitness. It was found that females had better fitness when compared to males. It was found that BMI had a statistically significant negative correlation with physical fitness, which means as BMI increases physical fitness decreases. Physical activity scores had a statistically significant positive correlation with physical fitness. Gender was also found to be correlated with physical fitness. In the present study, females had higher physical fitness than their male counterparts and this difference was statistically highly significant. Pulse rate was found to have a negative correlation with physical fitness. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure had statistically significant positive correlation with physical fitness.