Study of physical-motor fitness level of scholarship male students in a military center and determination of current status

Background and Aim: Measurement and evaluation of physical activity and physical fitness are essential because without proper basic data, proper planning can’t be made to improve and promote physical fitness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the level of health and skill-related physical fitness of male students in a military center in order to manage the students' physical fitness. Methods: In this descriptive cross sectional study, the population and the sample of the study were all male students in a military center in 2018 and 2019. After physical and medical examinations, those with a specific illness or problem were excluded from the study. Health and physical activity and medical history questionnaires were completed by the subjects. Then, anthropometric and physical-motor fitness tests were measured by the specialists of this field. The body composition, the muscular endurance of the trunk and the upper body, the flexibility, the cardiovascular endurance, agility and speed were measured. Results: Of the 581 scholarship male students in a military center, the mean of body mass index was 23.15 kg/m2, the body fat percentage was 13.19 percent, the muscular endurance of the trunk and the upper muscle endurance was 57 and 30 repetitions, respectively. Their flexibility was 36.87 cm, their aerobic fitness (VO2max) was 31.08 ml/kg/min, and their agility and speed were 11.52 and 9.21 seconds, respectively. Conclusion: The body mass index of subjects was within the range of normal weight and the body fat percentage was moderate. The status of the muscular endurance of the trunk was good, but the muscular endurance of the upper trunk was very weak. Students' flexibility was normal, while cardio-respiratory endurance and agility were very weak.