Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 12(5), pp. 820 - 827
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2024.120504
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Factors Affecting Cardiorespiratory Fitness among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Bintang Tatius ^1,*, Nabil Hajar ¹, Yanuarita Tursinawati ¹, Romadhoni ², Mohammad Hafish Baihaqi ³, Kharisma Muhammad ³, Mohammad Isfa' Akmal ³, Imam Maliki Ja'far ^3
1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Indonesia
² Medical Education Development Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Indonesia
³ Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Maintaining physical health among medical students is vital, as it can significantly impact their cardiorespiratory fitness. The sedentary lifestyle of medical students can lead to concerning health problems in the future. Purpose: This study explored multiple aspects of medical students' well-being, including cardiorespiratory durability, physical fitness, blood pressure, chronotype, and body composition. We aimed to provide a holistic health profile for medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis involved 142 medical students who met specific criteria. Data collection methods included questionnaires, various physical measurements, and Harvard step fitness tests. Statistical analyses of Spearman's rank, Mann-Whitney U, and Pearson correlation tests were used to assess the relationships between various health parameters. Results: Majority of study participants (80.3%) exhibit below normal cardiorespiratory fitness. Gender (p=0.009), physical activity (p=0.005), muscle mass (p=0.000), systolic (p=0.000) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.001) exhibited positive correlations with cardiorespiratory fitness. Visceral fat (p=0.022) and body mass index (p=0.000) showed negative correlations with cardiorespiratory fitness. However, lung vital capacity showed no significant relationship (p=0.811). Sleep quality (p=0.995) and chronotype (p=0,100) also displayed no significant relationship. Conclusions: This study found complex relationships among gender, physical activity, body mass index, muscle mass, visceral fat, sleep quality, blood pressure, lung vital capacity, and chronotype in medical students. Enhancing physical activity, maintaining a healthy body mass index, and improving sleep quality are critical for students' overall well-being.

KEYWORDS
Medical Students, Physical Fitness, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Body Composition

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Bintang Tatius , Nabil Hajar , Yanuarita Tursinawati , Romadhoni , Mohammad Hafish Baihaqi , Kharisma Muhammad , Mohammad Isfa' Akmal , Imam Maliki Ja'far , "Factors Affecting Cardiorespiratory Fitness among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 12, No. 5, pp. 820 - 827, 2024. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2024.120504.

(b). APA Format:
Bintang Tatius , Nabil Hajar , Yanuarita Tursinawati , Romadhoni , Mohammad Hafish Baihaqi , Kharisma Muhammad , Mohammad Isfa' Akmal , Imam Maliki Ja'far (2024). Factors Affecting Cardiorespiratory Fitness among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Universal Journal of Public Health, 12(5), 820 - 827. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2024.120504.