The level of actual functional fitness of men from different living environments in Poland and associations with health - a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to assess the differences in functional fitness between older men living in social welfare homes (SWH) and men living in society.

METHODS

The study involved 474 men aged 60-84, including 134 men living in social welfare homes and 340 men living in community. The Senior Fitness Test was used to assess functional fitness. Body weight and height were measured. Moreover, data on age, education, taking up physical activity and place of residence were collected.

RESULTS

A significantly lower level of functional fitness of SWH residents was demonstrated compared to men living in the society (p < 0.001). A significant percentage of seniors living in SWH did not reach the normal range for the Polish population. Also, the level of education, physical activity and health self-assessment differentiated the institutionalized men from those living in the community.

CONCLUSIONS

The place of residence is a factor that differentiates seniors' functional fitness levels. The reduced fitness of social welfare home residents may also result from the low level of their daily physical activity, education and health. Introducing physical activity programs for elderly residents in social welfare homes seems reasonable.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN platform as 18,225,729; December 2020.

Effect of Winter Outdoor Physical Activity on Body Composition and Motor Performance of Polish Adult Men

There is a relationship between physical activity and environmental factors, including weather conditions. Winter should not be a season in which physical activity is abandoned. Previous studies indicate that reducing the daily level of physical activity in adults has a negative impact on their motor proficiency and respiratory endurance, which subsequently translates into diminished quality of life. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of winter outdoor physical activity on somatic parameters, body composition, and motor performance of adult men (age 45.4 ± 5.9 years) involved in regular physical activity (physically active PA, n = 31) during the winter season (study group) compared to the control group of physically inactive men (PI, n = 22). Somatic parameters and selected parameters of motor fitness (Eurofit for Adults) were measured in both groups twice, at the beginning (pre) and at the end (post) of the winter season. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures and a post hoc LSD test were performed to evaluate the difference between the mean parameter values. In the PA group, a decrease in body fat mass, waist circumference, and abdominal obesity indicators, as well as an increase in skeletal muscle mass were confirmed. Improvements in motor performance parameters, i.e., flexibility, the speed of upper limb movements, hand and forearm muscle grip strength, the strength of the lower part of the torso, and cardiorespiratory endurance were also observed. Regular physical activity in the open air during the winter brings measurable health benefits, positively influencing the body composition and motor efficiency of adult men.

Blood Lead Level and Handgrip Strength in Preadolescent Polish Schoolchildren

Environmental pollutions, particularly toxic elements such as lead, are among the most significant factors affecting the growth and functional development of children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of blood lead levels on handgrip strength (HGS) in urban children resident in the Copper Basin of Lower Silesia, Poland, controlling for the effects of chronological age, body size and socioeconomic status. The study included 165 boys (9−11 years of age) and 79 girls (9−10 years of age) from Polkowice town. Anthropometric measurements involved height, body mass and grip strength of the left and right hands. Maternal education was a proxy for socioeconomic status. Based on the median value of blood lead level (3.10 µg/dL), the two groups-below and above/equal median value-were defined. Analysis of covariance revealed that age (all p < 0.001), sex (at least p < 0.01), BMI (all p < 0.001), and blood lead level (at least p < 0.05) had a significant effect on the three indicators of HGS (right hand, left hand, average), while the level of maternal education did not significantly affect HGS (p > 0.05). The results of this study indicate a potentially negative effect of elevated blood lead level on grip strength in preadolescent children, irrespective of sex.

Selected Elements of Lifestyle and the Level of Functional Fitness in Older Women

BACKGROUND

The appropriate level of functional fitness is a very important element for seniors to maintain self-reliance in daily life. The aim of this research was to assess sociodemographic differences, selected elements of lifestyle, and functional fitness in the older residents of social welfare homes and community dwellers Methods: The analysed group comprised 693 women aged 65-79, including 173 subjects living in social welfare homes and 520 community-dwelling women. Basic anthropometric features were measured, and functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Basic sociodemographic characteristics, as well as data on health self-assessment and selected elements of lifestyle, were also collected.

RESULTS

The female residents of social welfare homes were found to have a lower body mass index (BMI), and they came from smaller cities, compared with community-dwelling older women. Furthermore, almost a third of them had no children and completed primary or vocational education. They also reported smoking, poor health conditions, and lack of physical activity. The functional fitness of women living in social welfare homes was significantly lower than in community-dwelling women.

CONCLUSIONS

As seniors living in social welfare homes have such a significantly reduced level of functional fitness, compared with their peers living independently, it is necessary to include them in adaptive physical activity and diversified daily activities.

Blood lead level and nutritional status indicators in preadolescent Polish schoolchildren

BACKGROUND

Environmental pollutions with heavy metals may have toxic effects on human health and development. One of the most detrimental is lead exposure, which may disturb neurodevelopment and linear growth in children. However, data on the effect of lead exposure on nutritional and weight status in children are limited, thus this study aimed to assess the effect of blood lead (Pb) level on nutritional and weight status in preadolescent schoolchildren from the industrialized, mining region in southwestern Poland.

METHODS

Our study sample involved N = 709 schoolchildren (402 boys and 307 girls) in the preadolescent developmental period (7-11 years of age for boys and 7-10 years of age for girls). Anthropometric measurements were used to assess nutritional and weight status: body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and skinfolds thicknesses (triceps, subscapular, abdominal and the sum of skinfolds). Blood Pb level was evaluated and divided into two groups: above (>3.7 μg/dL) and below median value (≤3.7 μg/dL).

RESULTS

Analysis of covariance (with children's age controlled as a covariate) revealed that children with blood Pb level above median value had significantly lower values of BMI, MUAC and all skinfolds (at least p < 0.01). However, this effect was significant only in boys, whereas in girls differences were non-significant (p > 0.05). The highest effect size of blood Pb level was noted for skinfolds thicknesses (partial η²: 0.015 for the sum of skinfolds).

CONCLUSIONS

Nutritional status in children with higher blood Pb level is significantly impaired in preadolescent boys, who appear to be more sensitive to this environmental factor. Our findings indicate a particular need for nutritional and environmental interventions among preadolescent children in regions with higher lead exposure.

Appendicular skeletal muscle mass and quality estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis in the assessment of frailty syndrome risk in older individuals

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The rising aging index of many populations necessitates the continuous evolution of geriatric assessment methods, especially the ones used to identify frailty and the risk of frailty. An appropriately early diagnosis of adverse changes in skeletal muscles can reduce the risk of functional limitations in elderly persons. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the appendicular skeletal muscle mass and quality, estimated by the bioelectrical impedance analysis method, and the risk of prevalence of the pre-frailty state in elderly persons.

METHODS

One-thousand-and-fifteen subjectively healthy persons aged 60-87 years were tested. Anthropometric measurements and physical fitness and activity measurements were carried out and the frailty phenotype was evaluated. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass was estimated using the bioelectrical impedance analysis method. Muscle quality was assessed through an index correcting strength relative to muscle mass and through the impedance phase angle. The correlation between the muscle mass and quality estimating parameters and the probability of identifying pre-frailty was checked using multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of pre-frailty was 38%. The pre-frail persons were found to have a significantly lower muscle mass and quality than the non-frail persons, with the difference in the case of the muscle quality index nearly twice larger than for the muscle mass index. A significant logit model was obtained for pre-frailty prevalence, which was strongly dependent on the appendicular skeletal muscle mass (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 0.43, 95% CI 0.36-0.52, p < 0.001) and functional quality (adjusted OR: 0.26, 95% CI 0.18-0.38, p < 0.001) and less on age (adjusted OR: 1.10, 95% CI 1.07-1.13, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The strong correlation between the frailty phenotype and appendicular skeletal muscle mass and functional quality suggests that the two variables should be included in routine geriatric assessment with regard to frailty.

Estimation of the risk of the frailty syndrome in the independent-living population of older people

BACKGROUND

Frailty syndrome (FS) is one of the biggest problems faced by an ageing population.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to analyse selected parameters to assess the possibility of FS or symptoms related to this syndrome among independent and subjectively healthy people aged 60 + years and to select tests that may have a high level of diagnostic success while at the same time being easy to conduct, standardised and have a high level of reliability.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 1006 people aged 60 + years and the research protocol was very extensive, focusing on the broadly understood assessment of the functional biological markers of health in this group of people. The main outcome measures were hand-grip strength, 8-foot up-and-go test, and weekly physical activity (PA).

RESULTS

In considering the three basic pre-frail criteria, we observed significant reductions in muscle strength, walking speed, and weekly PA in a healthy and independent-living population. The results of the analysis of variance and detailed comparisons with the LSD test confirmed intergroup disparities. In terms of somatic features, statistically significant differences occurred in groups based on age and sex in favour of men and younger people. However, the division into non-frail and pre-frail groups with reference to the risk of frailty syndrome showed no differentiation between groups in somatic features.

DISCUSSION

There is a risk of frailty syndrome in a healthy and independent-living (non-community-dwelling) population of people aged 60 + years. The higher the age, the greater the risk is, with females being more vulnerable to FS than males. Furthermore, it should be noted that healthy and independent-living seniors may prefer dwelling in the community but are also at risk of FS. The hand-grip and 8-foot up-and-go tests may be good for diagnosing FS in all ageing populations from many different backgrounds.

CONCLUSIONS

The hand-grip evaluation, as well as a test that assesses motion speed and dynamic balance, may be among the best methods to measure the risk of frailty syndrome in ageing populations of healthy and independent-living seniors. The lower the values on these tests were, the higher the risk of FS. The advantage of these tests may lie in their ease of implementation and lack of need for expensive clinical equipment to take measurements, as well as the possibility for a high level of standardisation and reliability.

Functional fitness normative values for elderly polish population

Background

It’s really important to measure the actual functional physical fitness of elderly independent living persons from different environments to know the level and rate of decrease may inform about the threat of loss of functional independence, hence the need to monitor and assess the senior’s motor realm and adapt to it the appropriate programs and treatments in the care for the elderly person.

Methods

The study involved 5367 people (mean age 69,63 ± 7,06), including 4164 women (mean age 69,55 ± 7,11) and 1203 men (mean age 69,91 ± 6,86) aged 60 to 93 years old. We have measured basic anthropometric features and physical fitness (by using Senior Fitness Test).

Results

The average values in individual SFT tests significantly decrease along with age. After age of 80 and 85 there were no sex differences in SFT. The largest deficits concern the dynamic balance and the decrease reaches 69% in men and 62% in women A significantly higher rate of decline in aerobic capacity concerns men (43%) than women (36.9%). A clearly lower rate of loss occurs in the muscular strength of the lower and upper body and does not exceed 30%.

Conclusions

The results are of great clinical importance for the development of effective prevention and gerontological education programs in terms of promoting active lifestyle and successful ageing, at the same time limiting the economic consequences of treatment and hospitalisation.

Sex Differences in Body Composition Changes after Preseason Training in Elite Handball Players

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the estimated body composition of elite female and male Polish handball players during a five-week preseason training camp. Height and weight were measured, while body composition was estimated with bioelectrical impedance in 18 male and 17 female handball players before and after the five-week training protocol. Components of body composition included total body water (TBW), fat-free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), and absolute and relative fat mass (FM). Weight and body mass index (BMI) did not change in males, but declined in females after five weeks of training. FM and %FM declined, while estimated TBW, FFM, and MM increased significantly after training in both males and females. In contrast, comparisons of log transformed ratios for changes in weight, the BMI and body composition in males and females, respectively, suggested that estimated TBW, FFM, and MM increased relatively more in females than in males, while FM and %FM decline relatively more in males than females. Overall, the five-week preseason training program modified the body composition of male and female handball players. FM and %FM decreased, while estimated TBW, FFM, and MM increased, in both males and females after the preseason training program. Comparisons of log transformed ratios for changes in body composition in males and females suggested sexual dimorphism in response to intensive preseason training.

Age-related changes in hand dominance and functional asymmetry in older adults

The aim of the study was to investigate fine motor performance and ascertain age-related changes in laterality between the dominant and non-dominant hand. A representative sample of 635 adults (144 males and 491 females) aged 50 years and over completed a test battery MLS (Motor Performance Series) to assess a broad range of hand functions. Functional asymmetry was observed in all four motor tests (postural tremor, aiming, tapping, and inserting long pins). Significant differences between the dominant and non-dominant hand were obtained in both sexes across all age groups, except in the oldest female group (age >70) for the aiming (number of hits and errors) and postural tremor (number of errors) tasks. These differences in age-related changes may be attributed to hemispheric asymmetry, environmental factors, or use-dependent plasticity. Conflicting evidence in the literature warrants additional research to better explain age-related alterations of hand dominance and manual performance in old age.

Structural and functional markers of health depending on lifestyle in elderly women from Poland

OBJECTIVE

To comparatively analyze the rate and magnitude of age-related changes between two groups of elderly women with different lifestyles living in Poland: women attending a University of the Third Age (active lifestyle) and less-active peers not involved in any seniors association.

METHODS

The study was conducted in 2010-2012. The study design was approved by the Senate Ethics Committee for Scientific Research of the University School of Physical Education. In total, 417 women were recruited. Basic somatic characteristics, body composition, bone mineral density, physical fitness, respiratory function, postural stability, and body posture were measured. Regression analysis and Student's t-tests for independent samples were calculated.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The best results among the tests assessing functional biological markers of health were found in the group of elderly women attending a University of the Third Age. The rate of change was larger in the group of seniors leading a less-active lifestyle, indicating the important role of a preventive gerontological approach and the participation of seniors in programs that accentuate the need for physical activity.