Evaluation of Some Indicators of Physical Fitness, Body Composition and Balance in Imam Ali University Students with the Purpose of Norm Presentation

Background and Aim: Since having good physical fitness is one of the important indicators for enrolling students in military colleges, in order to compare and determine the ranking of these students in relation to society, presenting up-to-date norms is necessary. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to evaluation of some indicators of physical fitness, body composition and balance in Imam Ali university students with the purpose of norm presentation. Methods: The statistical population of the present study consisted of all students in Imam Ali University, who after conducting initial assessments, based on the objectives of the research and using the cluster sampling plan, 272 of these individuals were selected as the research sample. After familiarizing the subjects with the research methods, physical-motor fitness tests consist of 60 meters sprint run, 3600 meters endurance run, 4 by 9 meters agility test, curl up (maximum number in 2 minutes), push up (maximum number in 2 minutes) and pull up ((maximum number), as well as the three modes of static balance test and body composition assessment test were performed. Findings were presented as percentage norms and histogram diagrams. Results: The mean ​​and standard deviation values for BMI (22.72±2.45), body fat percentage (15.21±4.80), skeletal muscle mass percentage (47.81±2.80), Whr (0.82±0.04), curl up (63.67±14.54), push up (63.09±13.66), pull up (8.42±5.20), 60 meters run (8.94±0.69), 3600 meters run (13.53±0.81), 4 by 9 meters agility test (9.27±0.71), front and rear foot component of static balance test (0.92 ± 0.54) and one-footed component of static balance test (1.43±1.37) were recorded. Conclusion: The descriptive data presented in this study can be used to assess the health and physical fitness of students of Imam Ali University and other military colleges of the army forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and also to select more appropriate criteria for the entrance exam of army colleges.