Physical fitness, morphofunctional state, and nutritional status of Indian, Tajik, and Nigerian students studying in Bashkortostan

Aim. To study effects of regional factors and strenuous educational process on cardiorespiratory and vegetative characteristics in students from different countries at aerobic motor activity. Materials and Methods. The study sample included 90 students (aged 17-18) divided into basic, preparatory, and special health groups. Each group consisted of 15 male and 15 female representatives of all nationalities involved in the study. Physical and functional fitness as well as nutritional status of students were assessed. Results. The obtained results of assessment of morphofunctional state and physical development of foreign students allowed us to distinguish morphological criteria of fitness for different sports, general physical fitness, and long-term adaptation to training loads. The study made it possible to estimate the influence of nutritional status on morphofunctional characteristics and to assess the reactions of cardiopulmonary systems to functional tests. Conclusion. Among all groups under investigation, the most biologically reliable are Nigerian and Tajik girls, while Indian female students are most imbalanced. Stability of morphofunctional state and physical fitness indicators predisposes to successful performance in mass sports and mental loads; however, weight-length indicators in Tajik and Nigerian female students were higher than in “domestic” students.