Introduction. Body composition as well as physical fitness and physical activity are determined by a variety of factors affecting an individual, a social group or population.
Material and methods. The research included 1st- and 2nd-year students from universities located in Biala Podlaska (University of Physical Education – UPE and State School of Higher Education – SSHE). Students were divided into 3 groups. The first group included physical education (PE) students from the UPE, the second group consisted of physiotherapy students from the UPE, while the third group included students from the SSHE. In general, 1107 individuals were examined, including 563 females and 544 males. Body height, body mass, waist circumference, hip circumference and six skinfolds were measured, fat tissue distribution indices such as WHR, TSS, ESS, TER were calculated and body composition was assessed with the use of IOI 353 body composition analyser. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Physical fitness was evaluated by performing EUROFIT tests. Statistical analysis was made on the basis of Shapiro-Wilk and Kruskal-Wallis tests.
Results. PE students manifested the highest values of body height, muscle mass and lean body mass as well as the highest level of physical activity and physical fitness. Physiotherapy students had the highest body mass and the highest level of body fat. Students from the SSHE were characterised by the lowest body height and weight, muscle mass and lean body mass. They also manifested the lowest level of total body water. Participants from this university achieved the lowest results in such physical fitness tests as standing broad jump, 10 x 5 m shuttle run and sit-and-reach. Females from the SSHE also manifested the lowest level of total physical activity.
Conclusion. It was concluded that somatic build, physical fitness and physical activity of the participants differ depending on their field of study.
