Abstract
Introduction: physical fitness constitutes an inherent human ability to perform bodily tasks effectively. Academic demands in university often hinder dedication to extracurricular exercise due to the persistent fatigue and pressure generated by the academic workload. Objective: to evaluate the physical fitness of university students at the "Julio Trigo López" Medical Sciences Branch in Palma Soriano. Methods: an analytical study was conducted among students at the "Julio Trigo López" Medical Sciences Branch in Palma Soriano during March 2025. The population comprised all 387 students of the institution, with the entire group included in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. Results: the predominant age group was 21 years (26,87 %). Gender distribution was balanced with a slight male predominance (51,16 %), and the most represented academic year was the 3rd (23 %). Normal weight prevailed, with 200 students (51,68 %). Statistical significance tests between BMI classification and physical fitness showed a significant association (χ²=78,91; p<0.001), with a likelihood ratio of 81,23 (df=5; bilateral asymptotic significance=0.000). Only 60,72 % of students were classified as physically fit. Conclusions: although most students demonstrated physical fitness, the high percentage of non-fit individuals constitutes a relevant problem. The statistically significant relationship between body mass index and functional capacity indicates that excess weight compromises physical performance.
Keywords
physical fitness, medical students, medical schools
INTRODUCTION
Physical activity and exercise, although related to physical fitness, are concepts that are often used synonymously. The scientific literature recognizes the fundamental importance of physical activity for human development, optimal functioning, and overall well-being. From a biomedical perspective, its evaluation often focuses on its absence: physical inactivity, recognized as the fourth leading risk factor for mortality globally.(1)
By the mid-20th century, a definition of physical fitness had been established as the biological basis of an ability determined by growth, exercise, and, in some cases, formal education. This conceptual advance allowed for its direct assessment, an understanding of its development as a continuous process, and its targeted improvement in various population groups with specific objectives.(2)
There is consensus that physical fitness represents an individual's ability to perform physical activities, whether work-related or sports-related, effectively and without excessive fatigue. This ability involves the integration of biological and psychological processes, including skills and predispositions.(2)
The intense university life, marked by stress and exhaustion, especially during exam periods, often limits the time available for extracurricular activities. The associated anxiety leads many students to neglect healthy habits. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in metabolic disorders among young university students, attributable to psychological, social, and cultural factors. This phenomenon, combined with a sedentary lifestyle and inadequate nutrition, has caused significant changes in body composition. (((3)))
Theoretical evidence supports the idea that physical exercise has a powerful influence on previously underestimated dimensions. This includes the modulation of emotional states such as anxiety and depression, stress reduction, and the improvement of intellectual and cognitive abilities, effects supported by functional changes derived from regular sports and physical activity.(4)
International recommendations are emphatic: they urge policymakers in higher education institutions to invest in the promotion of physical activity. Ensuring an environment that encourages regular exercise requires both favorable conditions and the implementation of specialized programs, which demands investment or adjustments on the part of the authorities. This investment, however, can generate significant added value for society and reinforce the strategic role of educational institutions in the country.(1)
Assessing the quality of physical fitness in university students is crucial. This is particularly relevant for medical students, who often face higher stress levels than other disciplines due to the high academic demands and their early involvement in healthcare settings. For these reasons, this study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the physical fitness of university students at the Julio Trigo López Medical Sciences Branch in Palma Soriano.
METHODS
An observational analytical study was conducted at the Julio Trigo López Medical Sciences Branch in Palma Soriano, part of the University of Medical Sciences in Guantánamo, during the month of March 2025.
The study population consisted of 387 medical students from the aforementioned branch. The entire population was included, constituting a census sample. The inclusion criteria were: being a student enrolled in the medical program at the branch during March 2025 and providing informed consent. The exclusion criteria were: students on university leave or with an active medical certificate during the study period. The exit criteria were: voluntary withdrawal from the study, withdrawal of informed consent, or inability to complete the required measurements.
The variables analyzed were: age, sex, academic year, body mass index (BMI), and physical fitness. BMI was determined using Adolphe Quetelet's formula (5) (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) and classified according to the reference values established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Physical fitness was categorized using the PAR-Q questionnaire,which consists of seven questions. Any student who answered yes to at least one of the seven questions in the questionnaire was considered "physically unfit"; otherwise, they were classified as "physically fit."
Data collection was carried out using a form developed by the authors, designed to record sociodemographic variables and PAR-Q results. This instrument was validated by expert judgment (three methodologists and clinical researchers) who evaluated its relevance and clarity, followed by a pilot test with 30 students not included in the final sample to adjust comprehension. For BMI, weight and height were measured with a scale with a fixed height gauge with an accuracy of 0,1 cm, following a standardized protocol: measurements were taken in the morning, with participants wearing light clothing, without shoes, in a standard anthropometric position (facing the Frankfort plane). The PAR-Q (5) questionnaire is an internationally recognized instrument for initial assessment of physical fitness.
Data collection was performed through face-to-face interviews by researchers using a validated form. Anthropometric measurements were taken in a specially equipped classroom, maintaining privacy and controlled environmental conditions (temperature, lighting). All data were recorded immediately and stored anonymously in a digital database created specifically for the study.
The data were processed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics were applied (absolute/relative frequencies in percentages for categorical variables; mean and standard deviation for continuous variables such as age and BMI). Inferential analysis used Pearson's chi-square test to evaluate the association between BMI categories (underweight, normal, overweight, obese) and physical fitness (fit/unfit), with a significance level of p < 0,05.
The study was approved by the Scientific Council and Institutional Ethics Committee. The principles of the Declaration of Helsinki were followed, requesting verbal and written informed consent prior to participation. The objectives, procedures, minimal risks, and the right to withdraw without consequences were explained. Confidentiality was ensured through data coding and restricted access to researchers. The results will be used exclusively for scientific purposes.
RESULTS
The highest concentration is at age 21 (26,87 %), with gender balance (51,16 % men). The intermediate academic years (2nd-4th) account for 61 % of the total , with the 3rd year standing out (23 %), while the 1st and 6th years show lower participation (14,21 % and 9,82 % respectively) (tabla 1).
Variable | No | % |
Age | Age | Age |
19 | 42 | 10,85 |
20 | 86 | 22,22 |
21 | 104 | 26,87 |
22 | 78 | 20,16 |
23 | 52 | 13,44 |
24 | 25 | 6,46 |
Gender | Gender | Gender |
Male | 198 | 51,16 |
Female | 189 | 48,84 |
Academic year | Academic year | Academic year |
1 | 55 | 14,21 |
2 | 71 | 18,35 |
3 | 89 | 23 |
4 | 76 | 19,64 |
5 | 58 | 14,99 |
6 | 38 | 9,82 |
Most students (51,68 %) were of normal weight, followed by 25,84 % who were overweight (grade I). It is noteworthy that almost 1 in 10 students (10,34 %) were overweight (grade II). Only 2,58 % were underweight (table 2).
BMI Classification | No. | % |
|---|---|---|
Type I obesity | 30 | 7,75 |
Type II obesity | 7 | 1,81 |
Underweight | 10 | 2,58 |
Normal weight | 200 | 51,68 |
Grade I overweight | 100 | 25,84 |
Grade II overweight | 40 | 10,34 |
Total | 387 | 100 |
A clear trend was observed, with students of normal weight recording the highest rate of physical fitness (41,34 %). In contrast, in the obesity groups (types I and II), more than 8 % were unfit. Overall, only 60,72 % of students were classified as fit (table 3).
BMI classification | BMI classification | Physical Fitness | Physical Fitness | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BMI classification | BMI classification | Fit | Not fit | Total |
Type I obesity | No | 6 | 24 | 30 |
Type I obesity | % | 1,55 | 6,20 | 7,75 |
Type II obesity | No. | 1 | 6 | 7 |
Type II obesity | % | 0,26 | 1,55 | 1,81 |
Insufficient weight | No. | 6 | 4 | 10 |
Insufficient weight | % | 1,55 | 1,03 | 2,58 |
Normal weight | No. | 160 | 40 | 200 |
Normal weight | % | 41,34 | 10,34 | 51,68 |
Overweight grade I | No. | 50 | 50 | 100 |
Overweight grade I | % | 12,92 | 12,92 | 25,84 |
Grade II overweight | No. | 12 | 28 | 40 |
Grade II overweight | % | 3,10 | 7,24 | 10,34 |
Total | No. | 235 | 152 | 387 |
Total | % | 60,72 | 39,82 | 100 |
The analysis revealed a statistically significant association between BMI and physical fitness (χ2=78,91; p<0,001). The likelihood ratio (81,23; p<lt; 0,001) confirmed this relationship, indicating that the observed differences are not attributable to chance (table 4).
Statistical significance | Value | gl | Asymptotic significance (two-tailed) |
|---|---|---|---|
Pearson's chi-square | 78,91 | 5 | 0,000 |
Likelihood ratio | 81,23 | 5 | 0,000 |
Number of valid cases | 387 | [empty cell] | [empty cell] |
DISCUSSION
The findings of this study reveal a worrying profile in the physical fitness of medical science students in Palma Soriano, characterized by a high prevalence of excess weight and a considerable proportion of students who do not reach the recommended levels of physical fitness. These results become even more relevant when compared with international and regional literature, allowing for a deeper understanding of the underlying factors.
The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity identified in the present sample significantly exceeds that reported in similar studies. Research such as that by Guzmán-Muñoz et al.(6) and Elles-Cuadro et al.(7) documents rates of excess weight between 28-35 % in medical schools. This disparity could be explained by specific regional factors, such as particular dietary patterns in the area or characteristics of the built environment that limit opportunities for physical activity. We agree with Lopera et al.(() (8)) that the demanding academic requirements of the medical curriculum are a determining factor, promoting sedentary lifestyles and limiting the time available for regular exercise. This situation is exacerbated by what some authors have called "the health professional paradox," where those trained to promote healthy lifestyles show difficulties in implementing them in their own lives.
The strong association between BMI and physical fitness is consistent with findings in the international scientific literature. Studies such as those by Rangel et al.(9) in Spain and Castañeda et al.(10) in Ecuador have consistently demonstrated how excess body weight compromises cardiorespiratory and muscular capacity. However, the particularly high proportion of unfit individuals in the grade I overweight category exceeds that reported in comparable studies such as that by Ortiz Lozano (11) in Mexico, where this proportion did not exceed 35 %. This discrepancy could suggest the influence of additional factors not measured in our study, such as the quality of physical activity performed or specific aspects of body composition not captured by BMI.
When contextualizing the findings, we find that the overall proportion of students classified as fit is below the international standards recommended for young populations. Authors such as Quirumbay Vera et al.(12) in their study establish that at least 75 % of young university students should maintain adequate levels of physical fitness to ensure optimal health. This gap is especially concerning in the case of future health professionals, who should serve as role models for healthy behaviors.
The concentration of these problems in the middle years (61 % in the 2nd-4th years) coincides with the findings of Aldea et al.(13) in Chile and Ñahui et al.(14) in Peru, who identified this period as critical due to the maximum academic workload. This pattern suggests the need to implement specific interventions targeting these academic levels, possibly by integrating physical activity programs into the academic curriculum.
It is important to recognize the limitations of this study, mainly its cross-sectional design, which prevents the establishment of causal relationships, the restriction to a single institution, which limits generalization, and the lack of evaluation of psychosocial variables such as academic stress or detailed eating habits. Future research should incorporate longitudinal methodologies and expand the analysis to qualitative variables that allow for a better understanding of the determinants of this phenomenon.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings reveal a worrying level of physical unfitness and a high prevalence of excess weight among medical science students, showing a significant association between higher BMI and impaired functional capacity. These results, consistent with the international literature, highlight the paradox between their professional training and their health habits, underscoring the urgent need to implement integrated institutional programs to promote physical activity and healthy eating, particularly during the middle years of their studies when the problem is most concentrated.
References
- 1 Pérez Ruiz ME, Pérez Rodríguez M, Lafita Frómeta R, Macías-Merizalde AM. LOS BENEFICIOS DE LA ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA EN LA ATENCIÓN PRIMARIA DE SALUD. J. of Law and Sust. Develop. 2024;12(9):e3985. https://ojs.journalsdg.org/jlss/article/view/3985 Saiz-González P, Iglesias D, Coto-Lousas J, Fernandez-Rio J. Exploring Pre-Service Teachers’ Negative Memories of Physical Education: Explorando los recuerdos negativos del profesorado en formación sobre la Educación Física. ESPIRAL. 2025;18(37):47-59. https://ojs.ual.es/ojs/index.php/ESPIRAL/article/view/10033 Pacios Dorado JL, Arencibia Pagés CJ, Revé Viltres LM, Taño Tamayo D, Fernández Sosa R, Hernández Rodríguez CY. Sintomatología y nivel de ansiedad en estudiantes de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas Santiago de Cuba. Rev. Hosp. Psiq. Habana. 2025; 22. https://revhph.sld.cu/index.php/hph/article/view/790 Sotalin Nivela E, Troya Altamirano C, García Delgado JL. Eficacia del ejercicio físico regular durante la gestación en resultados maternoperinatales: un ensayo clínico aleatorizado. Rev Cubana Inv Bioméd. 2024; 43. https://revibiomedica.sld.cu/index.php/ibi/article/view/3262 Tariq S, Solangi ZA, Hamza A, Zamin Abbas Syed, Iftikhar A, Sabir UB, Hanan A. Determination of Physical Fitness Index (PFI) among Female College Students. IHR. 2024;4(1):1-12. https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/5129 Guzmán-Muñoz E, González-Cerpa C, Olivares-Neira C, Salazar-Orellana C, Corredor-Serrano LF, Alarcón-Rivera M. Relación entre la percepción de condición física y medidas antropométricas auto reportadas en estudiantes universitarios. RCAF. 2024;25(1):1-14. https://revistacaf.ucm.cl/article/view/1282 Elles-Cuadro E, Marimon-Mendoza O-V, Álvarez-Toro L-J, Contreras-Jáuregui F-A. Batería de pruebas para evaluar la condición física en estudiantes universitarios con discapacidad visual. Cult. Educ. Soc. 2024;15(1):e03394693. https://revistascientificas.cuc.edu.co/culturaeducacionysociedad/article/view/4693 Lopera Barrero CA, López Ramírez EA, Alexandre Mendes A, Nardo Júnior N. Modelo brasilero de tratamiento de la obesidad reduce factores de riesgo cardiometabolico de adolescentes colombianos: programa multiprofesional de tratamiento de la obesidad (PMTO-NEMO). Braz. J. Hea. Rev. 2024;7(3):e70283. https://ojs.brazilianjournals.com.br/ojs/index.php/BJHR/article/view/70283 Rangel Caballero LG, García Mantilla ED, Murillo López AL, Pérez Bernal MA, Irribarren Llorente LL. Upper-Body Muscular Endurance and Its Association with Aerobic Capacity in University Students of Physical Culture, Sport, and Recreation. MHSalud. 2024;21(1):e16863. https://www.revistas.una.ac.cr/index.php/mhsalud/article/view/16863 Castañeda Guillot C, Martínez Martínez R, Ezcurdia Barzaga M. Análisis de medidas repetidas del índice de masa corporal en niños de comunidad indígena ecuatoriana. Rev Cubana Inv Bioméd. 2023;42(2). https://revibiomedica.sld.cu/index.php/ibi/article/view/3159 Ortiz Lozano MA. Niveles de actividad y condición física de los estudiantes de primer semestre de la Facultad de Ciencias para la Salud de la Universidad de Caldas. 2022. https://repositorio.ucaldas.edu.co/handle/ucaldas/17899 Quirumbay Vera BN, Pazmiño Mantuano NB, García Chila YE, Rodríguez Domínguez JN, Savedra Toala DF, Medina Cuesta KA, Muentes Hidalgo YM, A Rosado Yagual AA. Sedentarismo y actividad física en los estudiantes de la universidad estatal península de Santa Elena. Ciencia Latina. 2022;6(1):2696-711. https://ciencialatina.org/index.php/cienciala/article/view/1681 Aldea Medina F, Gajardo-Lagos P, López-Espinoza M Ángel. Prevalence of obesity in students aged 5 to 9 years old in for rural schools at Ñuble region. Sal Cienc y Tecn. 2024;3:731. https://conferencias.ageditor.ar/index.php/sctconf/article/view/1013 Ñahui Rojas H, Casimiro Urcos JF, Soto Hilario JD, Salazar Musayón JM, Pareja Paredes LB. Actividad física y estrés en estudiantes universitarios peruanos. Rev Cubana Inv Bioméd. 2023;42(1). https://revibiomedica.sld.cu/index.php/ibi/article/view/3099
- 2 Pérez Ruiz ME, Pérez Rodríguez M, Lafita Frómeta R, Macías-Merizalde AM. LOS BENEFICIOS DE LA ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA EN LA ATENCIÓN PRIMARIA DE SALUD. J. of Law and Sust. Develop. 2024;12(9):e3985. https://ojs.journalsdg.org/jlss/article/view/3985 Saiz-González P, Iglesias D, Coto-Lousas J, Fernandez-Rio J. Exploring Pre-Service Teachers’ Negative Memories of Physical Education: Explorando los recuerdos negativos del profesorado en formación sobre la Educación Física. ESPIRAL. 2025;18(37):47-59. https://ojs.ual.es/ojs/index.php/ESPIRAL/article/view/10033 Pacios Dorado JL, Arencibia Pagés CJ, Revé Viltres LM, Taño Tamayo D, Fernández Sosa R, Hernández Rodríguez CY. Sintomatología y nivel de ansiedad en estudiantes de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas Santiago de Cuba. Rev. Hosp. Psiq. Habana. 2025; 22. https://revhph.sld.cu/index.php/hph/article/view/790 Sotalin Nivela E, Troya Altamirano C, García Delgado JL. Eficacia del ejercicio físico regular durante la gestación en resultados maternoperinatales: un ensayo clínico aleatorizado. Rev Cubana Inv Bioméd. 2024; 43. https://revibiomedica.sld.cu/index.php/ibi/article/view/3262 Tariq S, Solangi ZA, Hamza A, Zamin Abbas Syed, Iftikhar A, Sabir UB, Hanan A. Determination of Physical Fitness Index (PFI) among Female College Students. IHR. 2024;4(1):1-12. https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/5129 Guzmán-Muñoz E, González-Cerpa C, Olivares-Neira C, Salazar-Orellana C, Corredor-Serrano LF, Alarcón-Rivera M. Relación entre la percepción de condición física y medidas antropométricas auto reportadas en estudiantes universitarios. RCAF. 2024;25(1):1-14. https://revistacaf.ucm.cl/article/view/1282 Elles-Cuadro E, Marimon-Mendoza O-V, Álvarez-Toro L-J, Contreras-Jáuregui F-A. Batería de pruebas para evaluar la condición física en estudiantes universitarios con discapacidad visual. Cult. Educ. Soc. 2024;15(1):e03394693. https://revistascientificas.cuc.edu.co/culturaeducacionysociedad/article/view/4693 Lopera Barrero CA, López Ramírez EA, Alexandre Mendes A, Nardo Júnior N. Modelo brasilero de tratamiento de la obesidad reduce factores de riesgo cardiometabolico de adolescentes colombianos: programa multiprofesional de tratamiento de la obesidad (PMTO-NEMO). Braz. J. Hea. Rev. 2024;7(3):e70283. https://ojs.brazilianjournals.com.br/ojs/index.php/BJHR/article/view/70283 Rangel Caballero LG, García Mantilla ED, Murillo López AL, Pérez Bernal MA, Irribarren Llorente LL. Upper-Body Muscular Endurance and Its Association with Aerobic Capacity in University Students of Physical Culture, Sport, and Recreation. MHSalud. 2024;21(1):e16863. https://www.revistas.una.ac.cr/index.php/mhsalud/article/view/16863 Castañeda Guillot C, Martínez Martínez R, Ezcurdia Barzaga M. Análisis de medidas repetidas del índice de masa corporal en niños de comunidad indígena ecuatoriana. Rev Cubana Inv Bioméd. 2023;42(2). https://revibiomedica.sld.cu/index.php/ibi/article/view/3159 Ortiz Lozano MA. Niveles de actividad y condición física de los estudiantes de primer semestre de la Facultad de Ciencias para la Salud de la Universidad de Caldas. 2022. https://repositorio.ucaldas.edu.co/handle/ucaldas/17899 Quirumbay Vera BN, Pazmiño Mantuano NB, García Chila YE, Rodríguez Domínguez JN, Savedra Toala DF, Medina Cuesta KA, Muentes Hidalgo YM, A Rosado Yagual AA. Sedentarismo y actividad física en los estudiantes de la universidad estatal península de Santa Elena. Ciencia Latina. 2022;6(1):2696-711. https://ciencialatina.org/index.php/cienciala/article/view/1681 Aldea Medina F, Gajardo-Lagos P, López-Espinoza M Ángel. Prevalence of obesity in students aged 5 to 9 years old in for rural schools at Ñuble region. Sal Cienc y Tecn. 2024;3:731. https://conferencias.ageditor.ar/index.php/sctconf/article/view/1013 Ñahui Rojas H, Casimiro Urcos JF, Soto Hilario JD, Salazar Musayón JM, Pareja Paredes LB. Actividad física y estrés en estudiantes universitarios peruanos. Rev Cubana Inv Bioméd. 2023;42(1). https://revibiomedica.sld.cu/index.php/ibi/article/view/3099
Declarations
Funding
The authors did not receive funding for the development of this research.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Authorship contributions
Conceptualization: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés.
Data curation: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés, Mayenin Fuentes Tur, Yaimara González Puig, Raiza Fernández Sosa.
Formal analysis: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés.
Research: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés, Mayenin Fuentes Tur, Yaimara González Puig, Raiza Fernández Sosa.
Methodology: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés.
Project management: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés.
Software: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés.
Supervision: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés.
Validation: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés.
Visualization: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés.
Writing – original draft: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés.
Writing – revision and editing: Katia Abón Guerra, Juan Leonardo Pacios Dorado, Christian José Arencibia Pagés.