ArticleBMC medical education2024
Physical fitness decline and career paths: a longitudinal study of medical undergraduates.
Article in BMC medical education, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Integrating physical fitness and psychology: an in-depth discussion of exercise interventions for weight reduction among university students.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Review
- Associations of healthy lifestyles and physical education enjoyment with physical fitness among Chinese medical students: a cross-sectional study.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Study on the impact of multiple factors on 4-year physical fitness test results of undergraduate students at a Chinese comprehensive university: based on the mediating role of exercise habits.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Addressing medical students' health challenges: codesign and pilot testing of the Preventive Remediation for Optimal MEdical StudentS (PROMESS) program.BMC medical education · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionExercise enhances one's health and competitiveness. A strong physical fitness status can pave the way for a promising future. This study presents the time-based trends in physical fitness indicators-including height, weight, BMI, lung capacity, dash, long-distance running, and standing long jump-among medical undergraduates during their university years. Additionally, we analyzed the impact of students' physical fitness on their career paths.
methodWe conducted a retrospective database study by collecting physical fitness test data and career paths information for 634 medical students from a university in southwestern China. These students graduated in 2022. The career paths included pursuits in further studies, employment, and unemployment. To detect differences in these aspects, we used the t-test and Chi-square test.
resultsOur study indicates a significant declining trend in the physical fitness of medical students during their university years. The changes observed between the first and fourth tests are as follows: Weight (kg): 58.52 ± 10.48 to 60.73 ± 12.07, P < 0.00 BMI (kg/m^2): 20.79 ± 2.74 to 21.24 ± 3.06, P < 0.00 50-m dash (s): 8.91 ± 0.99 to 9.25 ± 1.11, P < 0.00 Standing long jump (cm): 187.74 ± 30.98 to 182.59 ± 32.25, P < 0.00 800-m run for females (min): 3.84 ± 0.47 to 4.48 ± 0.85, P < 0.00 1000-m run for males (min): 3.98 ± 0.63 to 4.62 ± 0.87, P < 0.00 Sit-ups for females (count): 30.39 ± 7.5 to 29.03 ± 8.82, P < 0.00 Upon analyzing the correlation between changes in physical fitness and career paths, students with stable or decreased BMI had better post-graduation outcomes compared to students with increased BMI.
conclusionsMedical students show a declining trend in physical fitness during their undergraduate years. A good physical health status is beneficial for achieving better career paths. Medical students should place greater emphasis on physical exercise during their time in school.
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