Association of Body Mass Index with Physical Fitness Variables Among Undergraduate Allied Health Students

Abstract

Background: The ability of the body to perform effectively and efficiently,  enjoy leisure activities, stay healthy, fend off sickness, and handle emergency circumstances is known as physical fitness

Objective: To evaluate physical fitness and its association with BMI among undergraduate students of allied health sciences.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study with analytical design was carried out at Imran Idrees Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Sialkot from May to October 2022. The sample was raised using convenient sampling technique. The data was collected from 154 undergraduate students of allied health students aged 19-26 years. Clinical tests were used to evaluate physical fitness namely Harvard step test, pushups test, wall squat test, flexible test and  toe touch. SPSS Version 16 was used for data analysis.

Results: The results of this study indicated that the mean age of the participants was 19.70±1.97 and the mean BMI was 23.70±3.48. Out of total,77(50%)participants had normal weight, overweight was (n=6,39%) Underweight 17(11%).Harvard step test showed 80(51.9%) of the recruited participants had poor physical fitness, below average were 40(26%), average 23(14.9%), good 6(3.9%). Chi-square test showed a strong association between BMI and physical fitness variables (Harvard step p=0.00, left shoulder flexibility p=0.0006, right shoulder flexibility p=0.01,pushups p=0.00,wall squat  p=0.00) computed as p< 0.05.

Conclusion: It was concluded in this study that was associated with physical fitness and its variables among allied health students

Keywords: Harvard Test, Physical Fitness, Strength