The Physical Fitness of Residents of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

Objective: To study the physical fitness of residents of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital and associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to measure the physical fitness including percentage of body fat, grip strength, leg strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. Cardiovascular fitness was evaluated by maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), which was calculated by a sub-maximum exercise test on a bicycle ergometer (Astrand-Rhyming test). Possible physical fitness-associated factors were also analyzed. Results: There were 160 residents; 61 male and 99 female including those in 1st to 5th years of residency training from 12 different departments in the academic year 2011. The mean age was 28.8 (SD 1.8) years. One third (26.9%) were overweight. Eighty percent engaged in exercise less than 1 time per week. Almost half (47.5%) of residents had poor to fair levels in cardiovascular fitness when compared with the standard value of Thai people in each age group. Mean VO2 max was 34.8 + 8.7 ml/kg/min. Being overweight (OR 7.5, 95% CI 3.1 to 18.2) and low exercise compliance (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.7 to 12.2) were significant factors associated with poor to fair cardiovascular fitness. Conclusion: Almost half of the residents had poor to fair levels in cardiovascular fitness that were associated with overweight and low exercise compliance. This health issue of residency should be attended to and solved. Keywords: Exercise, physical fitness, residents