Analysis of 10-Year Physical Health Trends amongMedical College Freshmen

Purpose: This study was aimed at exploring the trends of health status of medical college freshmen in 10 years (2005-2014), as a guide for improving the physical health conditions of University students. Methods: Freshman physical test data from 2005 to 2014 were collected, and their height, body mass index (BMI), lung capacity and long distance running times were analyzed. Results: Mean height of male students increased significantly from 172.08±5.56 cm in 2005 to 159.36±5.27 cm in 2014 (t=26.028,P<0.001), while that of female students increased significantly from 175.11±5.50 cm in 2005 to 162.66±5.03 cm in 2014 (t=28.291,P<0.001). BMI of male students increased significantly (t=6.224,P<0.001) within the same period, in contrast to that of the female students (t=7.458,P<0.001). In addition, mean BMI of male students were higher than that of female students (Z=29.760,P<0.001). Lung capacity showed a decline for both groups (male: t=12.944,P<0.001; female: t=29.489,P<0.001). Long–distance running times increased (male: t=21.833,P<0.001; female: t=18.717,P<0.001). The percentage of overweight and obese male students was significantly higher than that in female students (male: 12.73%; female: 4.84%), and both showed increasing trends (male: Z=9.056,P<0.001; female: Z=3.643,P<0.001). Non-compliance of lung capacity with long-distance running time increased over the years (male: Z=12.892,P<0.001; female: Z=19.148,P<0.001; male: Z=14.596,P<0.001; female: Z=8.209,P<0.001). Conclusion: Height of college freshmen showed an upward trend, but their physical health condition showed a downtrend within the period of study.