ASSESSING HEALTH-RELATED FITNESS AMONG COLLEGE-GOING STUDENTS IN DELHI: A CROSS- SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Health-related fitness (HRF) is a critical determinant of overall well-being, particularly among
college students who undergo significant lifestyle changes due to academic stress and altered
physical activity patterns. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess HRF components among 300
college students (150 males, 150 females) aged 18–25 years in Delhi, India. Stratified random
sampling was used to select participants from various colleges. Standardized fitness tests were
employed to evaluate muscular strength (JCR Test), muscular endurance (Sit-Up Test),
cardiovascular endurance (Harvard Step Test), flexibility (Sit and Reach Test), and body
composition (Body Mass Index). Descriptive statistics and an independent t-test were applied to
analyze the data, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
The findings indicate that 61.4% of students exhibited poor cardiovascular endurance, while 55.6%
had inadequate muscular strength and 52.3% demonstrated suboptimal flexibility. Additionally,
23.1% of participants were classified as overweight, and 6.5% were obese. Significant differences
were observed between male and female students in muscular strength, endurance, cardiovascular
fitness, and body composition (p < 0.05), whereas flexibility did not show a statistically significant
difference (p = 0.08).
These results highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve the physical fitness
of college students. Educational institutions should implement structured physical activity
programs and awareness initiatives to foster healthier lifestyle choices among young adults. Future
research should explore the underlying factors contributing to poor HRF levels and assess the
effectiveness of fitness intervention programs.