CARDIORESPIRATORY HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT AMONG UNDERGRADUATE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL COMPARITIVE EVALUATION

Abstract

Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness constitutes a fundamental indicator of overall physical health and metabolic function. Healthcare education professionals require substantial cardiovascular reserves to manage demanding clinical rotations and sustain extended work schedules. Limited data examine fitness profiles within allied health student cohorts. Objective: This investigation assessed cardiorespiratory fitness parameters among undergraduate healthcare professionals to establish baseline fitness profiles and identify risk factors for compromised cardiovascular function. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study enrolled 145 undergraduate students (age 18–26 years) from physical therapy (65.5%) and medical (34.5%) programs at a tertiary educational institution. Cardiorespiratory capacity was quantified using the Modified Harvard Step Test, with Physical Fitness Index calculations derived from exercise duration and heart rate recovery measurements. Body composition assessment utilized standardized anthropometric techniques. Results: Overall sample demonstrated mean Physical Fitness Index of 62.87±15.33, with 37.9% achieving excellent fitness ratings and 62.1% classified in satisfactory-to-suboptimal categories. Female students exhibited significantly lower fitness indices compared to males (mean: 58.4±14.2 versus 68.1±15.8, p<0.05). Year-three and fourth-year students demonstrated superior fitness compared to initial cohorts. Conclusion: Substantial proportion of allied healthcare students demonstrate suboptimal cardiorespiratory fitness despite pursuing professions demanding significant physical demands. Implementation of structured exercise programs integrated into professional curricula warrants consideration to enhance cardiovascular preparedness for clinical practice.