Clustering undergraduate students enrolled in physical education majors in Romania and Ukraine based on their physical fitness levels

Abstract

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly one third of the world’s adults (31%) are physically inactive. This study explored gender differences in physical fitness among undergraduate students majoring in physical education. Objective: The main goal of this research was to analyze and compare physical fitness indicators between male and female higher education students. Specifically, we aimed to identify clusters of students based on their physical fitness profiles and understand the implications of these clusters on their overall health and fitness. Methods: A total of 324 students from Romania and Ukraine participated in the study. The Romanian students were enrolled at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Babeş-Bolyai University, and the Ukrainian students were enrolled at the National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport. A combination of physical fitness tests, including the Three Minute Step Test, Sit-up Test, Push-up Test, and Standing Long Jump Test, Plate tapping Test were used to assess various fitness parameters. Cluster analysis, specifically k-means clustering, was used to categorize students into distinct groups based on their fitness profiles. The Davies-Bouldin index was computed to evaluate the robustness of the cluster separation. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationships between different physical development and fitness indicators. Results: The analysis identified significant gender differences in physical fitness. Male students were divided into two clusters: Cluster 1 demonstrated superior cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle endurance, and strength, while Cluster 3 exhibited higher body weight-to-length ratios and better coordination and speed of upper limb movements. Female students, categorized in Cluster 2, showed superior coordination and speed of upper limb movements, but lower strength and endurance compared to males. The Davies-Bouldin index of 0.017 indicates strong separation between clusters. Conclusions: The present study highlights the critical importance of promoting physical fitness among higher education students. The findings suggest that higher body weight relative to height can negatively impact certain fitness aspects. Tailored fitness programs addressing specific gender and individual needs are essential. Continued research is necessary to further understand the factors influencing physical fitness and to develop effective strategies for improvement, ensuring students are well-prepared for both professional challenges and healthy, active lives.