Assessment of Cardio-pulmonary Efficiency in Medical Students- A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract
Cardio-respiratory fitness is an important element of health that requires a combination of
the various systems as circulatory, respiratory, and muscular systems to supply oxygen to
the working tissues during physical activity. It is important for the performance of
functional activities and quality of life.
Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the cardiovascular fitness
level of medical students.
Materials and methods: A total of 200 healthy students of both sexes volunteered for this
study and were subjected to submaximal exercise testing and their pre- and post-exercise
heart rate readings were noted.YMCA 3-min step test, a submaximal test based on how
quickly our heart rate recovers following a short bout of exercise, was used to determine the
cardio-respiratory fitness.
Results:4% of students had excellent while 7% had good cardiorespiratory fitness. 18%
scored above average, 39% average while 28% scored below average fitness score. 4%
students were having poor cardio-respiratory fitness and none of the students showed very
poor score.
Conclusions: It was concluded in our study that very few students were found to have good
cardio-respiratory fitness status. Majority of students were having only average, below
average and poor cardiorespiratory fitness score. This indicates that medical students are
not aware of importance of their health which may be due to their lengthy curriculum, long
study hours, stress of their studies that is putting a lot of strain on their physical and mental
health. They should be made aware of importance of preserving fitness by recommending
regular physical activit