Background This study examined associations between body composition and physical fitness scores among medical students in Shenyang, China. Methods A total of 2291 medical students aged 18–20 (815 male and 1476 female) in Shenyang of China were recruited to participate in the research in May 2019. With the use of the BCA-1B body composition analyzer and standard method of physical fitness assessment, the body composition and seven measures of physical fitness (body mass index, vital capacity, sit and reach, standing long jump, pull-ups/crunches, 50-m sprint, and 800/1000-m run) of college students were measured, respectively. The associations between body composition and physical fitness scores were assessed using multiple linear regression analysis. Results The height, weight, total body water, protein mass, mineral content, body mass index, vital capacity, and body function scores of male students were significantly higher than those of female students. However, fat mass (FM), body shape score, physical quality score, and total physical fitness score of female students were significantly higher than those of male students. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated that in male students, only FM was negatively associated with body shape score, body function score, physical quality score, and total physical fitness score. In female students, FM was associated with lower body shape scores, physical quality scores, and total physical fitness scores. Furthermore, the ratio of overweight to obesity in male students was significantly higher than that in female students. Conclusions In Chinese medical colleges, the physical fitness level of female students is better than that of male students, and a higher FM was significantly associated with worse physical fitness of medical students. Moreover, male students with a higher rate of overweight and obesity are an important group that needs weight control.

BackgroundThe continuous decline in the physical fitness of college students has become a serious social problem worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the effective method improving college students' physique. Previous studies have shown that Baduanjin exercise is beneficial in improving sleeping quality, mental health, body flexibility, and body physique. However, the evidence is unclear whether Baduanjin exercise can be recommended as an effective exercise to promote health-related physical fitness of college students.MethodsA total of 130 college students were recruited and randomly allocated to either the Baduanjin training or the control group at a ratio of 1:1. The students in the Baduanjin training group received a 12-week supervised Baduanjin exercise training intervention with a frequency of 1 h each day and 4 days per week, while those in the control group did not receive any specific exercise intervention and were informed to maintain their original lifestyle for 12 weeks. The outcomes of health-related physical fitness involving measurements of body flexibility, muscular strength, cardiopulmonary fitness, and body endurance were measured at baseline and after the 12-week intervention period. Mixed linear model was used to analyze the effect of the Baduanjin exercise intervention.ResultsMixed linear model analyses showed that the Baduanjin training group had a significant increase in the composite scores of health-related physical fitness compared to the control group from baseline to 12-week post-intervention with a medium effect size (d = 0.68, P = 0.006). Moreover, there were significant improvements in vital capacity, physical flexibility, 800/1,000 m endurance running, and body composition (measured by body mass index (BMI), fat mass and body fat ratio) at end of 12-week intervention in the Baduanjin training group. No adverse events were observed in this trial.ConclusionRegular Baduanjin training may be an effective, safe exercise form to promote the health-related physical fitness of young adults.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-17013011. http://www.chictr.ogr.cn.