Body Composition, Muscular Strength and Cardiovascular Strength of the Second-Year Medical Students at Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate Siriraj medical students’ fitness thereby obtaining data for promoting greater physical fitness in Siriraj medical students.

Methods: Physical fitness among second-year medical students academic year 2008 was measured by methods including body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip circumference ratio in determining body composition, hand grip dynamometer in determining muscular strength, heart rate as well as blood pressure before and after performing a YMCA step test in determining cardiovascular strength and a questionnaire in determining the lifestyle of medical students.

Results: Average BMI and cardiovascular strength of both male and female medical students were within normal range compared to those of Thai. However, muscular strength of both male and female medical students was relatively low compared to those of average Thai as sixty-six per cent of them had exercise less than twice a week.

Conclusion: Siriraj medical students need more physical exercises to improve their physical fitness. It is important to persuade medical students to pay more attention to their health, which will eventually make them to be healthy doctors in the future.