The change in handgrip strength, after physical exercise, is moderated by digit ratio (2D:4D): A study among the young adults in Poland.

BACKGROUND: The digit ratio (2D:4D), the ratio of the lengths of second (2D) to the fourth (4D) fingers, is a proxy indicator of prenatal androgen exposure. On average, males display lower 2D:4D than females. Previous studies have shown that lower 2D:4D ratios were associated with better sports and physical abilities. AIM: To assess whether a challenge condition, imposed by intense exercise, could increase handgrip strength (HGS) associated with 2D:4D. METHODS: This cross-sectional experimental study included 90 healthy young Polish adults (40 males, 50 females). They underwent intense physical exercise, before (7 days) and after which they were measured for HGS and 2D:4D. Height and weight were also measured. Analyses of Covariance were employed to delineate associations. RESULTS: 2D:4D had significant predictive effects on the differences in HGS (DHGS) measured in two occasions, without and after, physical exercises. The lower was the 2D:4D, the higher the DHGS, particularly, for the left hand. CONCLUSION: The results reconfirmed that the link between prenatal testosterone exposure (indicated by 2D:4D) and physical strength depends on the context, such as a challenged condition.

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.

Fine and gross motor skills in 7-10 years old Indian children exposed to a natural disaster during early development.

Fetal life and infancy are extremely sensitive to adverse environmental conditions. This study aimed to assess the effect of exposure to a natural disaster (cyclone Aila) in utero or during infancy on fine and gross motor functions in preadolescent Indian children. The study was conducted in West Bengal, India, and included approximately 700 children (7-10 years old) who were prenatally or postnatally exposed to cyclone Aila and a nonaffected group. Anthropometric measures included height, weight, and birthweight. Socioeconomic status was based on parental education, family size, and income. Motor functions were assessed using the short form of Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2). Statistical analyses included, for example, generalized linear models. There were no differences in motor functions relative to the timing of the exposure (trimester) during pregnancy. Compared to the controls, prenatal Aila exposure resulted in poorer performance in all BOT-2 subtests, except for fine motor precision, strength, and balance (the last in boys), while postnatal Aila exposure, compared to the controls, resulted in poorer performance in manual dexterity, bilateral coordination, balance (girls only), and speed and agility. Early life exposure to a natural disaster has long-term adverse effect on motor proficiency in children. By inference, the welfare of pregnant women and infants should be of particular concern for emergency and health services during an environmental cataclysm.

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.

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.

Changes in the bioelectrical impedance parameters estimating appendicular skeletal muscle mass in healthy older persons.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: As population ageing, it is necessary to use inexpensive and widely available methods of monitoring healthy ageing to earlier detect the risk of potential ageing-related diseases. As an alternative to the reference methods, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) enables one to quickly and easily estimate appendicular skeletal muscle mass, which in the case of older persons is an indicator of their physical fitness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the actual bio-impedance parameters used to estimate body composition, as possible markers of changes in the mass of the appendicular skeletal muscles in the course of ageing. METHODS: Four hundred and thirty-five persons (including 107 men and 328 women) aged 50-87 years (65.6 ± 6.4 years) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements and measurements of the bioelectrical impedance components (resistance, reactance, and phase angle) were carried out. Using the prediction equations, appendicular muscle mass and appendicular skeletal muscle mass were estimated. RESULTS: Differences in the bio-impedance parameters between older persons aged 65 + and persons on average 10 years younger have been demonstrated and the impedance components have been shown to be correlated with age, the correlations being stronger in the persons after the 65th year of life. CONCLUSIONS: The actual bioelectrical impedance parameters measured directly using the BIA method of estimating body composition are good identifiers of the changes in the mass of the appendicular skeletal muscles in older persons in the course of ageing.

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.

FURTHER EVIDENCE OF AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN LOW SECOND-TO-FOURTH DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D) AND SELECTION FOR THE UNIFORMED SERVICES: A STUDY AMONG POLICE PERSONNEL IN WROCLAW, POLAND.

Males and females differ in their preference for occupations and sporting activities, and differ also in risk-taking attitudes. In addition to other explanations, prenatal hormone exposure has been implicated in these gender-associated differences. The ratio of the relative lengths of the second-to-fourth digits (2D:4D) is a proxy indicator of prenatal exposure to testosterone relative to oestrogen. The 2D:4D ratio has been found to be associated with choice of occupation, particularly among females. This study investigated whether 2D:4D differed between police officers and a control group of civilians in Wroclaw, Poland. Participants were 147 male and 55 female police officers and 91 male and 75 female civilian controls. The police officers had to undergo rigorous physical ability tests during recruitment and their job bore relatively higher risk, whereas the controls had a normal civilian lifestyle. Height, weight, hand grip strength and lengths of the second and fourth digits were measured. Analyses of variance and covariance were employed to assess the significance of difference in digit ratio between groups (police officers and civilians) allowing for interaction with sex. The policewomen, compared with the female controls, were taller and had stronger hand grip strength, but had lower 2D:4D in the right hand and average 2D:4D of both hands. However, male and female police officers slightly differed only in the right hand digit ratio but not in the left hand ratio or the average for the two hands. However, the control group showed significant sex differences in all digit ratios with higher (feminine) mean values in females. The study provides further evidence that prenatal testosterone exposure, as reflected in the 2D:4D ratio, might have an association with choice of occupation, particularly among females.

SPORTS PREFERENCE AND DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D) AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS IN WROCLAW, POLAND.

Humans exhibit sex differences in competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk-taking attitude, which are required in sports. These attributes are often linked to prenatal testosterone (PT) exposure. The second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) is an indicator of PT exposure. A lower 2D:4D indicates higher PT exposure and vice versa. Males generally have a lower 2D:4D than females. Sensation- and/or thrill-seeking behaviours have also been found to be negatively associated with 2D:4D. Boxing and judo are considered to be high-risk sports. Voluntary participation in judo/boxing in contrast to aerobics can be guided by such behaviours and thus have an association with lower 2D:4D. This cross-sectional study included 167 female students from a military academy in Wroclaw, Poland. Of them, 119 had voluntarily chosen aerobic exercise, and 48 opted for judo/boxing. Height, weight and second and fourth digit lengths were measured. Physical fitness was assessed using Eurofit tests. The two groups showed similar physical fitness and body size. However, the judo/boxing group had significantly lower mean 2D:4D values than the aerobics group. It is proposed that voluntary choice of participation in a sport discipline by women could be linked to the 'organizational' effect of intrauterine testosterone exposure during prenatal growth.

Blood lead levels, pulmonary function and agility in Polish schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Reduced vital capacity (VC) and forced vital capacity (FVC) are associated with lead (Pb) exposure. AIM: The objective of this study is to analyse the effects of Pb on FVC and the shuttle run performance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were available for 184 male and 189 female Polish schoolchildren aged 10-15 years. Regression analysis was performed of shuttle run performance (dependent) on Pb and FVC. RESULTS: Shuttle run time increased by 1.75 (± 0.77) and 1.97 (± 0.77) seconds for each 10 µg/dL increase in Pb blood among males and females, respectively. Higher shuttle run times indicate poorer performance. Average unadjusted blood Pb level in the sample was 5.27 µg/dL (± 0.19 SE) and 3.82 µg/dL (± 0.10 SE), respectively. Path analysis was used to assess the association of Pb level with shuttle run time. Blood Pb had a significant negative effect on VC (B= -13.60 ± 3.28 [SE], p < 0.0001) and FVC (B = -13.08 ± 3.27, p < 0.0001). FVC had a small but significant effect on shuttle run time (B = -0.04 ± 0.007, p < 0.0001). Pb had a significant effect on the residual of shuttle run time among males (B = 1.59 ± 0.75, p < 0.03) and females after the effect of FVC was removed (B = 1.49 ± 0.73, p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, Pb had direct and indirect effects that increased shuttle run time, i.e. negatively affected performance.

Functional capacities of Polish adults of 60-87 years and risk of losing functional independence.

AIM: To characterise the functional capacities of Polish men and women aged 60-87 years and evaluate their status relative to criteria for functional independence. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Four hundred and thirty-one women and 125 men, aged 60-87 years, who were residents of Wroclaw, southwestern Poland, were recruited. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. The Fullerton Functional Fitness Test was administered to test upper and lower body strength, upper and lower body flexibility, agility-dynamic balance and aerobic endurance. The Paffenbarger physical activity questionnaire was completed. Characteristics of individuals classified by the number of tests which equalled or exceeded criterion-referenced standards for functional independence (excluding flexibility) were compared. RESULTS: Polish older adults compared favourably to American reference values. Percentages meeting the criteria for all four, for two or three and for one or no tests were, respectively, 21%, 54% and 25% in women and 37%, 45% and 18% in men. Adults meeting the criteria for all four tests were lighter, with a lower BMI and more physically active than those meeting the criteria on two or three tests and on one or no tests. CONCLUSION: The majority of Polish older adults were not at risk for loss of physical independence. The most functionally independent adults of both sexes had a lower BMI and less obesity, and were physically more active; the converse was true for those not meeting the criteria.

Physical Fitness And Digit Ratio (2D:4D) In Male Students From Wroclaw, Poland.

There is sex-difference in humans as regards aerobic efficiency, physical strength and endurance and the sex difference is greatly dependent upon differential concentration of testosterone during different phases of growth and development including the intrauterine phase or prenatal growth. Second-to-fourth digit lengths ratio (2D:4D) is an putative indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure. Lower 2D:4D indicates higher prenatal testosterone exposure and vice versa. Males generally have lower 2D:4D than females. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the fitness measures and 2D:4D in young adult Polish males. The study included 118 Polish male students first course in General Kosciuszko Military Academy of Land Forces in Wroclaw. Their mean (+SD) age was 20.4 (+1.60) years. Eurofit test set was employed to assess physical fitness. Apart from height, weight, second and fourth digit lengths, hand grip strength was also measured by a standard isometric dynamometer. The study showed a weak relationship between 2D:4D of right hand and results of physical fitness tests. The smaller was the 2D:4D, the better was the result of endurance and strength tests. This finding was in accord with reports by other studies, indicating that individuals with smaller 2D:4D tend to perform better in these aspects of physical ability. However, we also found an opposite relationship with the results to agility tests. Male students with higher 2D:4D scored better in 5x10 meters shuttle run. This finding did not match with results reported by other studies. This study indicated towards possibility that an association between low 2D:4D and sport and athletic achievement and also physical performances were due to, at least in part, the action of prenatal testosterone. Further studies are required to investigate the relationship of fitness parameters with digit ratio and ultimately with prenatal testosterone exposure.

The Risk for Fall and Functional Dependence in Polish Adults 60­87 Years Old.

The constantly rising percentage of the elderly (60+), who are particularly at risk of the dangerous consequence of falls, results not only in the loss of independence in daily life, but also in a serious threat to health and life. Therefore, many authors emphasize the necessity of conducting prophylaxis and prevention among senior citizens. The most important aspect of fall prophylaxis is care about the optimum level of agility. Exercise should focus on increasing muscular strength, balance and dexterity. The aim of the present study is to determine the relationship between functional fitness and the risk for falls of older people in the light of maintaining physical independence. The research group consisted of 522 persons: 142 males and 380 females aged 60-84 years from Wroclaw (a city in the south-west of Poland). All subjects provided written consent, and were measured and tested in 2009 through 2015, excluding the winter months. Body height and weight were measured. Body mass index was calculated. The Senior Fitness Test was used to assess functional capacity and efficiency. The results of the Senior Fitness Test were used to estimate Maintaining Physical Independence in Older Adults. The differences in the means of the results of all the tests between the age and sex-specific groups were assessed by means of a two-way analysis of variance, where sex and age were factors and results of appropriate test dependent variables. Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk for fall, based on the incidence of fall in the last year, for each test comparing the individuals met referenced criteria to maintain functionally dependence and independent, controlled for age and BMI. The risk for falls was more than twice greater in the case of the studied females, whose muscular strength of the upper part of the body was lower. The females in whose cases no fewer than two tests failed to ascertain functional independence, had a greater risk for falls. In the case of the males, no statistically-significant connections between functional independence and the risk for falls was found.

Is sports choice and participation related to 2D:4D? A study among adult male students in Wroclaw, Poland.

Psychology and personality of individuals may have implications for choice of, and performance in sports disciplines. Individual- and group sports differ in psychological requirements, such as, competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk taking attitude, often required in sports. There is sex difference in human in these qualities, which also show association with prenatal testosterone exposures. Second-to-fourth digit lengths ratio (2D:4D) is an indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure. Lower 2D:4D indicates higher prenatal testosteron exposure and vice versa. Males generally have lower 2D:4D than females. This study cross-sectional study investigated the relationship of 2D:4D with team based- or individual sports. The participants were 421 Polish male students with a mean (+SD) age of 19.78 (+0.79) years. Among them, 139 were engaged in sports and 282 were not. Mean 2D:4D in each hand of individual sporting group was significantly lower than the team sports- and no sports groups. Participants not involved in any sports had the highest mean 2D:4D value. However, the team sportsmen's 2D:4D did not differ from the non sporting group. Prenatal testosterone exposure might have implication in sports choice and participation.

Fine motor skills of the hands in Polish and Czech female senior citizens from different backgrounds.

The aim of the present study was an in-depth analysis of fine motor skills of the hands in elderly women from different socio-cultural backgrounds. The research also included analysis of the associations of age with the variables assessing right- and left-hand motor skills and its effect on hand performance asymmetry. The study examined 486 women over the age of 60. The study measured dominant and non-dominant hand performance using the motor performance series test battery (aiming, line tracking, inserting pins, tapping) from the Vienna test system. The best results in the tests assessing coordinated hand movements were achieved by the group of elderly women attending a University of the Third Age in Poland. This may be the result of a larger variety of physical activity programs offered at this type of institution. However, due to the cross-sectional design of the study, additional research of a longitudinal nature needs to be performed using the same sample of individuals to draw any definitive conclusions. Additionally, a decrease in the differences between dominant and non-dominant hand function with age was observed.

The structure of physical activity in seniors from lower Silesia.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is considered to be one of the most important determinants of human health. Many authors emphasize the benefits of physical activity for elderly people--its positive influence on the functioning of many organs and systems, development of greater mobility, slowdown of the involution processes, and counteracting the effects of civilization diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the structure of physical activity in older adults from the Lower Silesian region. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The data was collected as part of the PolSenior national program. The subjects were selected randomly in three stages. The analysis was performed on the data from questionnaires filled out by 192 men and 164 women over the age of 65 years living in the Lower Silesian region. The answers were analyzed in categories such as: age (3 groups: 65-74 years, 75-84 years and over 85 years), gender, place of residence (communities up to 20 000 and over 20 000 inhabitants) and social-occupational status (blue-collar and white-collar workers). The survey results were shown in percentage form and concerned the different types of physical activity performed, the most frequent reasons for undertaking physical activity, sports and recreational physical activity during the respondents youth, between 30 and 60 years of age and at present, as well as the constraints and reasons that prevent an active lifestyle. RESULTS: With age the percentage of people who spend their free time actively decreases. In each age group of elderly people men declared a greater need for physical activity than women. The subjects also differed with the urban factor and social-occupational status. Moreover, the results showed that the larger community, the better the condition created for recreation of older adults and the people whose previous profession was not connected with physical work tried to be physically active in various forms more often than ex-manual laborers. It is probable that education significantly influences an active attitude towards one's health and proper lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity of seniors as a one of the basic elements of lifestyle is clearly connected with the environment in which older people live.

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.

Short-term secular variation in menarche and blood lead concentration in school girls in the Copper Basin of southwestern Poland: 1995 and 2007.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate short-term secular change in menarche and associations with blood lead level in Polish girls between 1995 and 2007. METHODS: Menarcheal status of school girls 7-16 years from villages in southwestern Poland was surveyed in 1995, 2001, 2004, and 2007. Blood lead was sampled in 1995 and 2007. Median ages and variance statistics for menarche were estimated with probit analysis. Associations between blood lead level and menarcheal status in 1995 and 2007 were analyzed with logistic regression using blood lead level as an independent binary variable: 2.00-5.00 and ≥5.10 µg/dl. RESULTS: Median ages at menarche declined slightly from 1995 (13.36 ± 0.06 years) to 2001 (13.20 ± 0.04 years), was stable in 2004 (13.20 ± 0.05 years), and declined to 2007 (12.81 ± 0.05 years). Blood lead levels declined from 6.57 ± 0.13 µg/dl in 1995 to 4.24 ± 0.14 µg/dl in 2007. With age, height, and BMI controlled, probability of attaining menarche was not associated with blood lead in 1995, but was decreased with increased blood lead in 2007 (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.09-1.06, P = 0.057). CONCLUSION: Ages at menarche and blood lead levels declined between 1995 and 2007. Higher blood lead levels were not associated with menarche in 1995, suggesting that nutritional and health conditions and perhaps somewhat unstable social and economic conditions in the 1980s and early 1990s may have masked the influence of lead on sexual maturation. Elevated blood lead was associated with the probability of later menarche in 2007, although the association was of borderline (P = 0.06).

The Use of the Bioelectrical Impedance Phase Angle to Assess the Risk of Sarcopenia in People Aged 50 and above in Poland.

PURPOSE: The increasing aging of many populations requires a continuous evolution of assessment methods in geriatrics, especially methods for identifying sarcopenia. Early diagnosis of unfavorable changes in the condition of skeletal muscles and the implementation of therapeutic methods may reduce the risk of functional limitations in the elderly. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between the bioelectrical impedance phase angle and the occurrence of pre-sarcopenia in people aged 50 and above. METHODS: 1567 people aged 50-87 were examined. Anthropometric as well as muscle strength and walking speed measurements were performed. Using bioelectrical impedance analysis, the phase angle was measured and the appendicular skeletal muscle mass was estimated. The contribution of the phase angle in explaining the probability of the occurrence of pre-sarcopenia was verified by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 12 people (0.8%) and pre-sarcopenia in 276 people (17.6%). Significantly lower impedance phase angle and muscle functional quality were found in people with confirmed pre-sarcopenia compared to people without sarcopenia. The relative differences for the phase angle were greater than for the indicator of muscle functional quality. Significant logit models were obtained for the probability of occurrence of pre-sarcopenia, in which the strongest predictor was the phase angle, regardless of the type and number of covariates. The cut-off point of the phase angle for identification of pre-sarcopenia was 5.42° in men and 4.76° in women. CONCLUSION: The strong association between the risk of pre-sarcopenia and the phase angle, which can be easily and quickly assessed by bio-impedance analysis, suggests the necessity to include this parameter in routine geriatric evaluation in order to identify the risk of sarcopenia.

Secular Changes in the Age of Menarche of Rural and Urban Girls from an Industrial Region of Poland in Relation to Family Structure.

PURPOSE: The consequence of better living conditions for every subsequent generation is the phenomenon of change in the rate of maturation and body dimensions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intergenerational changes in the age of menarche of girls living in rural and urban communities in the industrial region of Poland using samples from two different centuries and to determine the relationship between family structure (two-parent and single-parent) and sexual maturation of the girls in both environments. METHODS: The study included 3643 rural and urban girls aged 7-16 from southwestern Poland (Copper Basin). The research was cross-sectional in each environment around 2000 and 2010, and it was carried out twice. Two types of family structure were taken into account: two-parent and single-parent families. The median age of menarche and odds ratio (OR) of menarche depending on the place of residence and family structure were calculated. The status quo method was used when assessing the age of menarche. RESULTS: In both groups, the age of menarche significantly decreased during the decade. The median age of menarche in the urban girls was lower compared with their rural peers, but a significant difference was found only during the second examination (a decade after the first examination). There were no significant changes in menarche during the decade regarding family structure (neither in girls from two-parent families nor those from single-parent families), except in rural girls from two-parent families. Comparing the median age of menarche of girls from two-parent families with girls from single-parent families (urban and rural) showed lower median values in the girls from two-parent families, but no differences were significant. CONCLUSIONS: The acceleration of the maturation rate over the last decade has been observed among both rural and urban girls. Environmental differences in maturation rates between rural and urban girls increased over the course of the decade, and the difference between the rural and urban girls' age of menarche was statistically significant in the second examination (around 2010).The living conditions related to family structure did not significantly affect the timing of menarche.