Motor Fitness and High Intensity Effort in University Students-A Gender Variation

Majority of college and university students do not participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity in daily life and this causes deterioration of physical fitness. Several sex differences in fitness profile parameters among college students were noted in different populations. But data of motor fitness parameters in University students are lacking, especially in Indian context. The present study was aimed to provide gender specific motor fitness reference standards among Indian University students from Kolkata. 82 non–smoker male (n=41) and female (n=41) university students belonging to the age group of 20–26 years and similar socio–economic background were recruited in the study. Motor fitness parameters (agility, vertical jump test, push up test, flexibility, hand grip strength) and anaerobic capacity were measured by standard methods. Motor fitness parameters (agility, vertical jump test, push up test, flexibility, hand grip strength) and anaerobic capacity were significantly higher in male students than their female counterparts. Present data will also serve as a national standard data of motor fitness parameters of university students. This would be of further help to fitness instructors towards implementation of better fitness or exercise regime in different populations to improve physical fitness and for preventing injuries by increasing muscles' flexibility especially in case of females.