Cardio-respiratory fitness markers among Kenyan university students using a 20m shuttle run test (SRT)

Aim: To assess Cardio-respiratory fitness (CF) markers among university students using a 20m shuttle run test (SRT).
Methods: Markers of CF were assessed in 80 males aged 21.4±1.8 years, randomly selected from Moi University, Kenya. Assessed at different stages of SRT protocol included heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP & DBP). VO_2max was also determined. Data were analyzed using Stata v10. Comparisons were based on subjects exercise regimes.
Results: Subjects with either regular or irregular regimes attained lower HR in 4^th minute of SRT compared to non-exercise group (174.5±11.6 and 172.2±10.8 vs 182.8±6.8 b/m; p=0.04 and p=0.01 respectively). Lower HRs were maintained among irregularly exercising after 5^th minute (176.5±10.1 vs 186.7±6.3 b/m; p=0.02). Regularly exercising subjects obtained lowest DBP at exhaustion compared to irregular and non-exercising (58.58±15.0, 62.43±12.9 and 64.1±8.8 mmhg respectively). VO_2max predictors included year of study (r=-0.40), age (r=-0.41) and weight (r=-0.23). The regularly exercising had higher VO_2max than irregular (p < 0.01) and non-exercising (p < 0.001). No demonstrable difference in VO_2max existed between irregular and non-exercise subjects.
Conclusion: Exercise regimes should be emphasized amongst university students, albeit with less regard to regularity, which should be encouraged for those in higher study years and those with higher DBP at exhaustion.