An Investigation Into Health Related Physical Fitness among Physiotherapists

Background: Physical fitness is the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness without unduefatigue and ample energy to enjoy leisure time pursuits and meet unforeseen emergencies.1A number ofmeasurable components contributes to physical fitness. The most frequently cited components are healthand skills related that pertain to athletic ability. The health-related components of physical fitness are (a)cardio-respiratory endurance, (b) muscular endurance, (c) muscular strength, (d) body composition, and (e)flexibility.2.Physiotherapists work with people of all ages to bring about improvements in their health and independence.Physiotherapists provide exercise prescriptions to help people keep fit and achieve/maintain a healthy weightLiterature has indeed suggested that Physiotherapists are particularly susceptible to WRMDs (Work RelatedMusculoskeletal Disorders) because of the nature of their profession which is often repetitive, labor intensiveand involving direct contact with patients. Physiotherapist helps people to be physically fit but are theythemselves physically fit? Through this research we are trying to investigate level of physical fitness inphysiotherapists using various health related physical fitness tests.Method: 44 Physiotherapists participated in the study. The data was gathered at MGM School ofPhysiotherapy, MGM College of Physiotherapy and includes post graduate students, academicians andclinical therapist ranging between the age group of 22-40years. The subjects with any higher functiondeficits, musculoskeletal impairment, traumatic injuries, vascular impairments, and systemic inflammatorydisorders were excluded from the study.The participants were provided oral and written overview of study. Each participant signed an informedconsent form prior to participation in study. The total time taken to complete tests by the subject wasmaximum 15 minutes.Conclusion: This study reported reduced level of health related physical fitness among Physiotherapists.