Jemds.com Original Research Article J. Evolution Med. Dent. Sci./eISSN- 2278-4802, pISSN- 2278-4748/ Vol. 6/ Issue 61/ July 31, 2017 Page 4441 A STUDY ON MEDICAL FITNESS OF UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS WITH REFERENCES FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF THEIR HEALTH Amit Kumar Ghosh 1 , Mausumi De 2 , Anup Das 3 , Subrata Das 4 , Sudip Barua 5 1 Associate Professor, DepAmith Kumar Ghosh-naga-(ranjitha)Shru (OR) July 31-Checkedartment of Pharmacology, R. G. Kar Medical College. 2 Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, R. G. Kar Medical College. 3 Professor and HOD, Department of Pharmacology, R. G. Kar Medical College. 4 2 nd Year Postgraduate Trainee, Department of Pharmacology, R. G. Kar Medical College. 5 2 nd Year Postgraduate Trainee, Department of Pharmacology, R. G. Kar Medical College. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND The medical students undergoing MBBS course are busy all the time in their lessons and other academic activities. There is hardly any time of taking care of their health and they are reluctant to exercise. They also suffer from various mental stress and strain in their long study periods. So, after passing out, they may lose their firmity and may be a victim of chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, etc. So, it is very urgent to do some interventions to maintain the physical and mental health of the medical students, as they are the future healthcare providers of our society. Our primary aim was to find out the different health problems among undergraduate medical students. The objectives were to find out the causes of absenteeism in the classes and take opinion from the students for improvement of their health status. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted to understand the present scenario of the health status among the undergraduate medical students of 3 rd year MBBS batch in a medical college at Kolkata. The survey was questionnaire-based study among the students containing 15 questions and also their own suggestions for betterment of their health. Questions were prevalidated by faculty members and response of the students were analysed by statistical methods. RESULTS Out of 198 students in the class 148 students (Response rate 74.7%) took part in the study, of whom 105 were male and 43 were female. It was found that only few students did physical exercise daily and few practiced yoga on a regular basis. It is also seen that most of the students had got sick and there was a large number of sickness absenteeism in the last year. Most of the students gave their opinion for recruitment of yoga or physical instructor in the college and need of a gymnasium. CONCLUSION It is concluded that lack of regular exercising may cause infirmity and ill health in medical students. Now, it is the prime need for starting of gymnasium and recruitment of gym and yoga instructor in every medical colleges to look after the health of medical students for a bright future. KEYWORDS Medical Fitness, Undergraduate Medical Students. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Ghosh AK, De M, Das A, et al. A study on medical fitness of undergraduate medical students with references for further improvement of their health. J. Evolution Med. Dent. Sci. 2017;6(61):4441-4444, DOI: 10.14260/Jemds/2017/960 BACKGROUND Physical fitness is a general state of health and well-being and more specifically the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations and daily activities. Physical fitness is generally achieved through proper nutrition, moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise and sufficient rest. [1,2,3] A holistic definition of fitness is described by Greg Glassman in the Cross Fit Journal as an increased work capacity across broad times and modal domains; mastery of Financial or Other, Competing Interest: None. Submission 24-01-2017, Peer Review 18-07-2017, Acceptance 24-07-2017, Published 31-07-2017. Corresponding Author: Dr. Amit Kumar Ghosh, #38, Biprodas Chatterjee Lane, Howrah, West Bengal. E-mail: dyregistraramitghosh@gmail.com DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2017/960 several attributes of fitness including strength, endurance, power, speed, balance and coordination and being able to improve the amount of work done in a given time with any of these domains. (4) The Americans Physical Activity Guidelines suggest that all adults should avoid inactivity to promote good health mentally and physically. For substantial health benefits, adults should participate in at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, and preferably it should be spread throughout the week. Adults should also do muscle strengthening activities that are moderate or high intensity and involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these activities provide additional health benefits. [5]