Can We Promote Physical Fitness among Medical Students by Educational Program?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the changes of physical fitness level among medical students after educational program. Pretest and posttest fitness evaluation were given including: Body mass index, Anterior trunk flexibility test, 12 min run test, Sit ups test, Standing long jump test, Sargent's jump test, Ruler drop test, Paper ball pickup test and 45 m run test. Twenty five healthy medical students were trained for 10 weeks performing progressive resistance training 1 session per week and they were recommended to practice with other 1-2 training sessions per week. There was a significant difference between pretest and posttest in health related fitness (muscular endurance, muscular strength, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility) and also in agility and power (p<0.05). There were no interventional effects on other fitness variables including reaction time and speed. In multivariate analysis, we found only a significant statistical interventional effect on cardiovascular endurance, agility and power only in