Abstract

RAMOS BERMUDEZ, Santiago et al. FITNESS PROFILE OF UNIVERSIDAD DE CALDAS STUDENTS. Hacia promoc. Salud [online]. 2009, vol.14, n.1, pp.23-34. ISSN 0121-7577.

Objective: the identification of the fitness profile of Universidad de Caldas students, regarding abdominal muscle strength and hand grip, dorsal and hamstring muscular flexibility, aerobic resistance, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI) and waist perimeter, and physical activity. Materials and methods: a quantitative study was carried out, with a cross-sectional character, and a descriptive and correlational scope. With a total population of 10,890 students, a probability sample of 370 students was evaluated, from 33 undergraduate and graduate programs, for a confidence level of 95% with the estimated margin of error of 5%. The study was carried out between March and October 2008 in Manizales, Colombia. The technique implemented was direct observation, using the anthropometric protocols of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) and motor sports testing recommended by the Colombian Association of Sports Medicine. The data was collected on an instrument developed by the group, then processed in Excel XP-2007, which calculated measures of central tendency and dispersion. Results: the overall fitness of the student community is below the expected values, with a high percentage of body fat, cardiovascular risk in relation to waist perimeter was between high and very high for 5.2% of those evaluated. The BMI showed that 7% are underweight and 21.6% are overweight. Conclusions: the scarce physical activity performed by the student community is reflected in overall low level of conditional capacity and the high percentage of body fat.

Keywords : Physical fitness; body composition; anthropometry; aerobic endurance; muscle strength.

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