ABSTRACT
Background: Stress produces physiological and mental reactions in the body. Stressful life is most common experiences in human life. Mild stress is beneficial in performance but constant high stress may lead to anxiety and depression. Examination stress act as stressor and decreases the performance of student. A stressor is a change in the personal event or an environment that can cause stress. AIM: Present study was done to evaluate the muscle strength variations and fatigue under examination stress among medical students. Material and Method: Study involved 100 healthy boys and girls between 18-21 years of age. Who have no history of tobacco or alcohol consumption. Each students muscle strength was assessed by calculating work done using hand grip dynamometer and Mosso’s ergo graph, once during routine schedule in relaxed state (with no examination) and again during stressed state (during mid- term examination). Result: The amount of work done and handgrip strength was significantly higher on relaxed state compared to during examination. Conclusion: This study suggests that as examinations act as unavoidable stressors, which lead to the variation in the performance of the students. The medical teachers as well as students should be made aware of the negative consequences of stress faced during medical training. Effective relaxation program and psychological counselling services should be provided to students so that they cope better with examination stress.