Correlation Between Total Body Fat and Physical Fitness Index in Medical Students.

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, total body fat is one of the main risk factors for metabolic syndrome, which is the most significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. The excessive fat mass harms the function of the heart, lowers the oxygen uptake by working muscles and decrease physical fitness. Objective: This research was aimed to determine the correlation between total body fat and physical fitness index in medical students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in 45 male medical students of Universitas Islam of Indonesia under 25 years old. The total body fat percentage (TBF) was measured by the bioelectrical impedance analysis method (Karada's scan), while the physical fitness index was examined by the Harvard step test. The data were analyzed by Spearman's correlation test. Results: The mean of TBF and physical fitness index levels was 23.68 ± 6.29 and 60.05 ± 31.27, respectively. Spearman correlation test resulted in r = -0.314 with a significance of p = 0.038 (p<0.05), meaning that total body fat and physical fitness index has a significant negative correlation. Conclusion: There was a significant negative correlation between total body fat and physical fitness index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]