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.

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.

Evaluation of Relationships between Menopause Onset Age and Bone Mineral Density and Muscle Strength in Women from South-Western Poland.

INTRODUCTION: The onset of the menopause entails numerous changes, both physical and mental, in the functioning of the bodies of women. Moreover, the early menopause increases the risk of occurrence of many civilization-related diseases. Major factors contributing to health deficits include lowered bone mineral density and sarcopenia, which can result in serious functional limitations and the acceleration of ageing processes in the body. The aim of this study was to determine how the menopause onset age is linked with bone mineral density and the strength of selected muscles of the limbs and the trunk. Material and Methods. 756 women aged 50-80 years were subjected to tests. The subjects were divided into three groups: (I) from 50 to 59 years, (II) from 60 to 69 years, and (III) from 70 to 79 years. Each of the women specified the age when her final menstrual period occurred. On this basis, groups of women with (1) the early menopause-before the 50th year of life-and (2) with the late menopause-after the 50th year of life-were distinguished. Bone mineral density (BMD), dominant hand grip strength, knee extensor and flexor strength, and functional upper and lower body muscle strength were determined in each of the women. RESULTS: The test results indicate differences in levels of muscle strength and BMD between the 50-year-old early- and late-menopausal women. The late-menopausal women score better motor ability test results and higher BMD values. The differences decrease in the groups of 60-year-old women, whereas the 70-year-old early- and late-menopausal women score similar results. CONCLUSIONS: A higher percentage of women with a lowered bone mass and a lower strength level was found in the group of early-menopausal subjects. The rate of decline in hand grip strength, the functional efficiency of the upper and lower limbs, and BMD is faster in the late-menopausal women, whereby the two groups of 70-year-old women score similar test results.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Analysis of the relationships between edentulism, periodontal health, body composition, and bone mineral density in elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and tooth loss in conjunction with periodontal disease is not clear. The suggested effects include alteration in bone remodeling rates as well as the multifaceted etiology of edentulism. There is also a question if other body-related variables besides BMD, such as body composition, may be associated with tooth number and general periodontal health. The aim of this study was to evaluate if tooth number and marginal periodontal status are associated with body composition and BMD in a sample of elderly women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 91 postmenopausal women. Data included basic anthropometric characteristics, body composition via bioelectrical impedance analysis, and BMD analysis at the distal end of the radial bone of the nondominant arm via peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A dental examination was performed to assess tooth number, periodontal pocket depth (PD), and gingival bleeding. RESULTS: In nonosteoporotic women, a significant positive correlation was found between BMD and lean body mass, total body water, and muscle mass. The indicators of bone metabolism correlated negatively with PD. Such relationships did not appear in osteoporotic women. In both groups, basic anthropometric characteristics and body composition were significantly and positively correlated with PD and bleeding on probing. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that body composition and BMD are not significantly correlated with tooth number and gingival bleeding.

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.

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.

Respiratory function, physical activity and body composition in adult rural population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate functioning of the respiratory system and to estimate the correlation between the function parameters of the respiratory system and the level of physical activity and body composition in the adult rural population. The study involved a group of 116 people from rural population aged 35-60 years, staying on 3-week rehabilitation camps. They were divided into two groups: men (29) and women (87). The somatic features: body height, body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and body copmposition were analysed, on the status of smoking and declared level of physical activity (PA) was checked. For the evaluation of the functional parameters of the respiratory system the pattern of flow volume curve was used. The following parameters were determined: vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), MEF50 (maximum expiratory flow at 50% of VC) and Tiffenau index. Hand grip and maximum torque of the knee join flexor and extensor muscles was measured. As expected, men had significantly higher levels of respiratory parameters. In analyzing the status of smoking cigarettes, it can be stated that the majority of subjects are smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The values of functional parameters of the respiratory system were suitable for the age they were within the norm and did not show lung ventilation disorder. Most subjects of the study declared low physical activity which may be due to manual work on the farm. Smoking cigarettes significantly lowered the value of such parameters as FEV1, PEF and MEF50 only in the male group but the values did not indicate ventilatory disorder. Parameters of the respiratory system show the highest correlations with the parameters of muscle strength. Significant correlations with body compositions parameters (FFM, water) have been noticed too.

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.

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).

[Health behaviours in children and youth aged 7 to 16 years]. / Zachowania zdrowotne dzieci i mlodziezy w wieku 7-16 lat.

The study aimed at describing selected health behaviors of 470 subjects aged 7 to 16 years from Jedlina Zdrój. The frequency of the meals eaten and physical activity were estimated by means of a standardized multiple choice questionnaire. In both sexes the number of hours spent on physical activity rose significantly with age. The time of physical activity in older boys was significantly higher than in their female peers. Similarly, the percentage of children skipping breakfast and the second breakfast increased with age. The amount of fruit and vegetables eaten decreased with age of the subjects. At school milk was drunk by very few boys only.

Blood lead level and physical fitness of schoolchildren in the copper basin of south-western Poland: indirect effects through growth stunting.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was set in the context of two questions. First, does blood lead level exert a direct effect on measures of physical fitness? And second, might blood lead influence physical fitness indirectly through growth stunting? BACKGROUND: Blood lead level is negatively associated with performances on a variety of fine motor tasks. Corresponding information on associations with measures of physical fitness and gross motor coordination are limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Schoolchildren 7-15 years of age (463 males, 436 females) living in the vicinity of copper smelters and refineries were tested for blood lead. In addition to body size and blood lead, physical fitness was measured: right and left grip strength, timed sit-ups, flexed arm hang, plate tapping, shuttle run, standing long jump and medicine ball throw. Simple reaction time was also measured. RESULTS: The effect of blood lead level on physical fitness was indirect and small, and operated through anthropometric dimensions that more directly influenced the measures of fitness. CONCLUSIONS: Direct effects of blood lead level on indicators of physical fitness in school age youth are not evident. Blood lead level adversely affects physical fitness indirectly through growth stunting.