Analytical Study of Yashada bhasma (Zinc Based Ayurvedic Metallic Preparation) with reference to Ancient and Modern Parameters

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess body composition and physical fitness level of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) trainees who were training in the Training Centre based in RMN, Lumut, Perak. This study also determined the relationship between body composition and smoking with physical fitness among the RMN trainees. A total of 59 trainees aged 19-28 years from a training centre (TC) and on board the ship (BS) participated in this study. Anthropometric measurements included height and weight. Body composition was measured using the bio impedance method. Basic physical fitness (BFT) were assessed using 2.4 km run, push-up, sit-up, chin-up, standing broad jump and VO2 max test. Group TC achieved higher scores in the chin-up test (p<0.001) and 2.4 km run (p<0.001), while group B achieved higher scores in other BFT test components, such as sit-ups (p<0.001), 4×10 m back and forth running (p<0.001). Group BS achieved higher overall BFT scores compared to that of group TC (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in VO2 max value between group TC (37.33 ± 3.05 mL/kg/min) and BS (36.74 ± 3.94 mL/kg/min). There were also no significant differences for all the BFT components and the VO2 max between the smoking and non-smoking subjects (p>0.05). It was found that there was correlation between body fat percentage and BMI with the 2.4 km run (p<0.05). A significant inverse correlation was found between VO2 max and the body fat percentage (r=-0.503, p<0.001) and BMI (r=-0.296, p<0.05). These findings can be used as reference by MDF for any necessary implementation to improve the physical fitness of naval trainees. Keywords: