Cross-Faculty Analysis of Physical Fitness and Health Metrics among Turkish University Students

This research examined the health-related physical fitness profile, body composition, and musculoskeletal fitness of students enrolled in various departments at a university. Using a cross-sectional experimental approach, 130 participants (age: 22.49 ± 3.84 years; weight: 69.09 ± 17.6 kg; height: 169.4 ± 9.9 cm; 55% male and 45% female) were recruited, representing the Faculties of Architecture and Design (n=20), Engineering (n=20), Gastronomy and Culinary (n=20), Health Sciences (n=20), and Sports Sciences (n=50). Data were analyzed to assess normal distribution using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and descriptive statistics of mean, frequency distributions, and percentages to answer the research questions. Physical fitness indicators across various groups were compared using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The findings indicated that students enrolled in the Faculty of Sports Sciences exhibited higher levels of health-related physical fitness compared to their counterparts in other faculties. Significant differences were identified in body fat percentage, flexibility, upper and lower muscle strength, and cardiovascular endurance. This research underscores the importance of cross studies to monitor the evolution of health-related physical fitness among Turkish university students over time.