Comparison of physical fitness in male and female medical students

ABSTRACT

Background: Students entering medical college find it difficult to cope with the burden of studies and go into depression. They cannot maintain their study habits as before due to extreme tiredness and fatigue following their regular classes. Aim and Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the physical fitness status of male and female medical students. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 students, 35 male and 35 female, were selected randomly from the first two phases of this college. Their age, height, weight, and BMI were recorded. Their resting pulse rate was recorded after 15 min of resting. Then, each was made to undergo the Modified Harvard Step Test for 5 min or till exertion. Then, their immediate post-exercise pulse rate was recorded. VO2max was calculated and compared to find the physically fit group. Results: We found from the study that female students were similar to males in age, weight, and resting pulse rate. The height and maximum pulse rate post-exercise are more in males and BMI more in females and VO2max was found more in males. Conclusion: The male students are more physically fit than females and can cope with the different strenuous situations better than females. Females need to do regular exercise to increase their fitness.