Association between periodontal disease and low PFT (Physical Fitness Test) score: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Physical activity has been shown to have a protective relationship with several chronic diseases. Recently, periodontal disease has been considered a risk indicator for poor physical fitness. Aim: The aim was to assess if there is an association between periodontal diseases and poor physical fitness. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised of 125 subjects of age 20 to 40 years. Physical fitness was assessed through physical fitness test (PFT) which comprised of sit-ups, push-ups and two-mile run. A PFT score (range of 1 to 300) was determined for each subject. Subjects scoring less than 180 were considered physically unfit. The periodontal clinical examinations were done for physically fit and unfit subjects by a single periodontist. The periodontal clinical examination included Gingival index (GI), Clinical attachment loss (AL), Probing pocket depth (PD). Results: The mean age of the sample was 26.65 (± 4.07 Standard Deviation [SD]) years. The sample size comprised of 76 %males and 24 %females. Higher percentage of body fat subjects showed significantly lower PFT scores [152.31 (± 24.50 SD) points] than low percentage body fat subjects [188.73 (± 21.10 SD) points]. The unfit individuals had an average gingival index of 1.89 (± 0.67 SD) compared to 0.96 (± 0.78 SD) for the fit individuals (p=0.03). Mean probing depth and clinical attachment level were 4.89 (± 1.89 SD) mm and 4.28 (± 1.47 SD) mm in unfit individuals and 2.87 (± 1.39 SD) mm and 1.33 (± 1.88 SD) mm in fit individuals, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study confirms the significant association between periodontal diseases and poor physical fitness and periodontal disease may be considered one of the risk factors for poor physical fitness.