Body mass index and muscle strength in medical students

A Ridwan, Apen
H Rachmatdinata, Hedi
F Saputra, Ilham

Acta Medical and Health Sciences (AMHS)
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): Acta Medical and Health Sciences

Body mass index (BMI) is an indicator of nutritional status that affects health and muscle strength. Obesity inhibits adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK), thereby reducing endurance, decreasing muscle function, and increasing disease risk. This study aims to determine the relationship between BMI and muscle strength. A cross-sectional analyticalstudy was conducted among preclinical students of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani. BMI, grip strength, and standing long jump performance were measured in all respondents. Data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS). The results showed that most students had a normal BMI (50%), indicating good nutritional status. All respondents with overweight and obesity class I and II BMI demonstrated standing long jump results far below the average (100%), while only 7.1% of respondents with normal BMI reached the average category. Most respondents with normal BMI had normal hand strength (57.1%), as did those with obesity class II (83.3%). Statistical analysis using the chi-square test showed no significant relationship between BMI and muscle strength, with pvalues of 0.629 and 0.792. In conclusion, most students had a normal BMI, normal handgrip strength, and low standing long jump performance. There was no significant relationship between BMI and muscle strength.   DOI : 10.35990/amhs.v4n2.p87-93   REFERENCES Nuttall FQ. Body mass index: Obesity, BMI, and health: A critical review. Nutrition Today. 2015;50:117–128. Khanna D, Peltzer C, Kahar P, Parmar MS. Body mass index (BMI): A screening tool analysis. Cureus. 2022;14. Catatan: nomor artikel/e-location & nomor edisi belum dicantumkan (hanya “Feb 11”). Adab P, Pallan M, Whincup PH. Is BMI the best measure of obesity? BMJ. 2018;k1274. Gutin I. In BMI we trust: Reframing the body mass index as a measure of health. Social Theory & Health. 2018;16(3):256–271. 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