Changes in Physical Fitness and Anthropometric of Medical Cadets Over Their Study Period in Phramongkutklao College of Medicine.

Objective: To assess changes in physical fitness level and anthropometric characteristics of medical cadets in Phramongkutklao College of Medicine (PCM). Material and Method: A prospective study was conducted in 73 male and 20 female medical cadets at PCM during their study through medical education between April 2008 and July 2012. Anthropometric measurement and physical fitness test were performed at initial, preclinical year, and clinical year including body weight, height, waist-hip circumference, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist-height ratio (WHtR), % body fat, grip and leg strength, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), 2-minute push-ups, 2-minute sit-ups, and 2-kilometer run for time. Results: Through the course of medical education, significant increase (p<0.05) in body weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI, WHR, WHtR, and % body fat were detected. The increments in body weight and BMI in males were greater than in females. When compared to initial fitness, medical cadets in preclinical year could improve physical fitness variables with statistical significance reported in VO2 max, numbers of push-ups, sit-ups, and 2-kilometer run. When compared to preclinical year, VO2max was significant decreased and run time was significant increased in clinical year (p<0.05). Conclusion: Male medical cadets tended to gain more weight over the four years spent at PCM. Health-related physical fitness of medical cadet improved in preclinical year and cardiorespiratory fitness declined in clinical year. To establish motivation to have regular physical activity in medical student, physical fitness test and anthropometric measurement should be integrated into the medical student's curriculum.

Physical fitness and anthropometric characteristics of Royal Thai Army personnel.

The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between physical fitness and anthropometric characteristics in Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel. Body weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Subsequently, 4,030 males aged 20 to 60 years were field tested using 2-minute push ups/sit-ups and 2-kilometer run to measure muscular strength/endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance, respectively. Data were analyzed for the relationships between BMI and anthropometric variables and blood pressure and physical fitness results. The average BMI for RTA personnel was 24.0 +/- 3.3 kg/m2. Correlation coefficient between BMI and waist circumference (r = 0.847, p < 0.001) was better than BMI and WHR (r = 0.553, p < 0.001). Both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) had a significant positive correlation with BMI. The numbers of push-ups/sit-ups had a negative correlation with BMI (r = -0.121 and -0.109, respectively), whereas 2-kilometer run times had a positive correlation with BMI (r = 0.291, p < 0.001). In conclusion, RTA personnel with increasing BMI tend to have low physical fitness level.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Royal Thai Army personnel.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed on 4,276 RTA personnel aged 20-60 years between January and July 2005. They were interviewed for general health status, history of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. Blood pressure, weight, height, waist, and hip circumference were measured. RESULT: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in RTA personnel were 27.1% and 4.9% respectively. The mean value of age, weight, body mass index, waist, and hip circumference, waist hip ratio, blood pressure in overweight, and obese personnel were significantly higher than those of non-overweight personnel. Logistic regression analysis showed that significant risks of being overweight were positively associated with age, male, and working in a combat unit. Current smoking was inversely associated with overweight and obesity, whereas physical activity > or = 3 times/wk was inversely associated with obesity. Overweight and obesity were also associated with hypertension. CONCLUSION: These baseline data are useful for future trends monitoring and may be used for health promotion planning to prevent obesity in RTA personnel.

Systematic review of physical fitness testing to evaluate the physical combat readiness of Royal Thai Armed Forces.

Physical combat readiness of military personnel ensures maximal effectiveness of combat forces during wartime. Combat readiness has always been linked to the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Each raw score is converted to a standard score and corrected for age and gender. There is no standard measurement to evaluate combat readiness in the Royal Thai Army. To determine standardized criteria for physical combat readiness of Royal Thai Army personnel through systematic review, the APFT was used to determine fitness levels and to promote health. To pass the test, each soldier in each unit must attain a minimal standard score for each individual subtest. At present, each unit in the armed forces derives its own standard, based on different missions. The APFT might be an acceptable method to measure physical combat readiness. However, no studies have established the general measurements to evaluate combat readiness.