Status of Physical Fitness Index (Pfi %) and Anthropometric Parameters in Residential School Children Compared to Nonresidential School Children

Background: physical fitness is the prime criterion for survival, to achieve any goal and to lead a healthy life. effect of exercise to have a good physical fitness is well known since ancient vedas. physical fitness can be recorded by cardiopulmonary efficiency test like physical fitness index (pfi %) which is a powerful indicator of cardiopulmonary efficiency. regular exercise increases pfi by increasing oxygen consumption. residential school children are exposed to regular exercise and nutritious food under the guidance. aims and objectives: our study is aimed to compare the physical fitness index status and anthropometric parameters in residential sainik (n=100) school children compared to non-residential (n=100) school children (aged between 12-16 years) of bijapur. material and methods: pfi was measured by harvard step test [1]. the anthropometrical parameters like height (cms), weight (kg), body surface area (bsa in sq.mts), body mass index (bmi in kg/m2), mid arm circumference (cms), chest circumference (cms) and abdominal circumference (cms) were recorded. results: mean score of pfi(%), height(cms), weight(kg), bsa(sq.mts), bmi(kg/m2), mid arm circumference(cms), chest circumference (cms) and abdominal circumference (cms) were significantly higher (p=0.000) in residential school children compared to non residential school children. in conclusion regular ex-ercise and nutritious diet under the guidance increases the physical fitness and growth in growing children