A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF PHYSICAL FITNESS INDEX USING MODIFIED HARVARD STEP TEST IN RELATION WITH BODY MASS INDEX IN MEDICAL STUDENTS (1ST YEAR MBBS) IN MAJOR S.D. SINGH MEDICAL COLLEGE, FARRUKHABAD, U. P, INDIA

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The physical fitness index measures the physical fitness for muscular work and the ability to recover from the work. The Harvard Step Test (HST) assesses the physical fitness of individual. The present study was done to assess the physical fitness index using Modified Harvard Step Test in young adult in the age group of 19 to 28 years with varying degree of physical activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS Study was conducted in Department of Physiology, Major S.D. Singh Medical College, Farrukhabad. The subjects selected for this study were medical students admitted for first MBBS course and physical fitness index was measured using Modified Harvard Step test. RESULT The height of subjects positively and significantly correlated to the fitness score and also the duration of exercise. In the present study, the mean Harvard index or PFI was 82.0101 in males 46.2542 in females. Mean value of height and weight were 166.6503 cms and 54.2316 kgs in males 96.4100 cms and 51.9000 kgs in females respectively. CONCLUSION Low mean value of PFI in female subjects compared to male subjects can thus be attributable to their lower body weight and height; also males are generally more aggressive and accept challenges more than females. This present study is an attempt to modify Harvard step test with classification of score. But for Indians, it is necessary to modify the step test because of short stature.