Abstract
Objective: Physical activity (PA) is one of the most important determinants for physical fitness (PF) in adolescence and young age. The previous study showed that most medical students as part of young population were found to be physically inactive. Our study aims to evaluate the correlation between PA and PF status among medical students.
 Materials and methods: One hundred and twenty five medical students of UNISSULA were enrolled in this study. PA level was measured using international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ)-short form. PF status was evaluated by cardiorespiratory capacity (VO2max score), handgrip muscle strength (HGS), and body composition (fat persentage and BMI). The data were analyzed using pearson correlation analysis.
 Results and discussion: The majority of PA level among participants were low. There was a correlation between PA level and sex (p= 0.001, r = 0.272), PA level and BMI (p = 0.001, r = 0.264), PA level and HGS score (p=0.000, r = 0.345). However, there was no correlation between PA level and VO2max or fat percentage.
 Conclusion: The PA level and PF status among participants were considered to be low and fair, respectively. Only one component of PF status (HGS) was correlated with PA level. Further investigations on the correlation between PA level and PF status using more objective methods are needed especially when involving medical students.
 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.20(3) 2021 p.625-630
Highlights
Physical fitness (PF) is defined as a structured and integrated measurement of all functions/components in which including physical activity (PA)
The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between physical activity level and several physical fitness components
The descriptive data of age, fat percentage, BMI, handgrip muscle strength (HGS) score, and VO2max score of the participants were presented in table III.[1]
Summary
Physical fitness (PF) is defined as a structured and integrated measurement of all functions/components in which including physical activity (PA). The measured components consist of musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, circulatory, metabolic, and neurological aspects 1. PF status is determined partly by genetic factor and strongly correlated with environmental aspect 2. Physical fitness can be grouped into health related fitness and skilled related fitness. The aspects in health related fitness include body composition, muscular strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness/cardiorespiratory fitness. As for the skill-related fitness, the agility, explosive strength, and balance are measured 3. Fitness is suggested as an indicator of health status at all ages and has been shown to be correlated with obesity and cardiometabolic risk . Fitness is suggested as an indicator of health status at all ages and has been shown to be correlated with obesity and cardiometabolic risk . 1,4,5
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