Gender Comparisons of Physical Fitness Indexes in Inner Mongolia Medical Students in China

Introduction: The aim of present study was to investigate gender differences in physical fitness indexes in regard to BMI (body mass index) levels among Inner Mongolia medical students in China.

Methods: Data on participant characteristics came from basic information contained in the school database. Physical fitness indexes including BMI, vital capacity index, sidestep test, and standing long jump, were conducted.

Results: Female students had a higher rate of normal weight than those of males. The obesity rate of males was 5 times higher compared to females. Compared with male students, female students had a higher pass rate in vital capacity index, sidestep and standing long jump. Females were higher 17% than males in the pass rate of the sidestep test. Males performed better than females in the standing long jump. In both the malnutrition and normal weight group, the pass rate of the 3 physical fitness indexes for both male and female students was higher than obese group. The not pass rate was higher than pass rate both male and female students in the vital capacity index in the obese group.

Discussion: Males had a poor physical fitness level compared with females. Male students may be more likely to spend more time using computers and it will cut down the time of participating in physical activities. So, in our university, more attention should pay on physical education, especially for males.