Physical fitness of medical residents: Is the health of surgical residents at risk?

Background Postgraduate medical residency programs are laborious and time-intensive, and can be physically, intellectually and emotionally demanding. These working conditions may lead to the neglect of personal health and well-being. The objective of this study was to compare the anthropometric and fitness characteristics of surgical and nonsurgical medical residents. We hypothesized that there is a difference in physical health between these 2 groups.