Evaluation and Comparison of Cardiorespiratory and Physical Fitness Parameters in University Students of Physiotherapy and Yoga Courses: A Cross-sectional Study

Rationale: The cardiorespiratory and physical fitness index (PFI) evaluates person’s capacity for both muscular work and postwork recovery with varied level of physical activity. Disciples of physiotherapy and yoga should have healthy and normal health parameters owing to their job demands. Aims and Objectives: In this study, we compared the cardiorespiratory and physical health parameter of yoga and physiotherapy students. Subjects and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was done in 143 students of yoga and physiotherapy courses in a university in India. They were assessed for their PFI and selected cardiorespiratory variables. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive analysis. Independent and dependent t -test were used to compare between and within groups. Results: The results showed that PFI was below the ideal recommended levels in students of both physiotherapy and yoga courses with average of 44.46 ± 19.46. The breath holding time (33.69 ± 12.61 and 17.79 ± 6.77, P = 0.000*) sec and PFI (61.05 ± 25.88 and 27.87 ± 13.05, P = 0.000*) were comparatively significantly higher in yoga students than physiotherapy students, but were still lower than the recommended ranges for normal healthy individuals. Conclusions: Students enrolled in yoga and physiotherapy programs exhibit low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, well below the suggested thresholds. Yoga students outperformed physiotherapy students in terms of cardiorespiratory and PFI, but the results were still below acceptable levels. This justifies taking immediate action to improve the cardiorespiratory and physical health parameters of young healthcare practitioners. It can be suggested that they incorporate mandatory physical fitness classes in their curriculum.