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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Age at Menarche in Urban Girls Exposed to Lead in the Copper Basin, Poland.

Lead negatively affects human growth and development. In this research, we aimed to assess the effect of elevated blood lead level on age at menarche (AM), controlling for body mass index (BMI) and estimated fatness. The sample included 490 girls aged 7−16 examined in Polkowice town (Copper Basin, Poland) in 2008.

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.

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.

Annual changes in appendicular skeletal muscle mass and quality in adults over 50 y of age, assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Objectives: It is essential to monitor changes in skeletal muscles to control healthy aging. The aim of this study was to assess changes in muscle mass, strength, and functional quality taking place in the course of aging and to analyze their correlations with recorded changes in impedance.

Methods: The study, carried out in two stages at a 1-y interval, covered 313 subjectively healthy adults ages 50 to 83 y.

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.

The effect of a natural disaster on handgrip strength in prepubertal Indian children exposed to a severe cyclone during the prenatal and early postnatal growth.

Natural disasters (NDs) experienced by women and their children during prenatal and infant growth may have long-lasting effects on offspring's development. Handgrip strength (HGS) is one of the measures of muscular strength and an indicator of health status. This study compared HGS in children exposed to cyclone Aila in India during their prenatal and infant growth compared to a control group from a non-affected, adjacent area.

Relationship Between Bioelectrical Impedance Parameters and Appendicular Muscle Functional Quality in Older Adults from South-Western Poland.

Purpose: The aim of this research was to assess the correlations between the impedance components and the appendicular skeletal muscle strength and functional quality indices in older adults. The use of the impedance parameters as potential identifiers characterizing the functional state of muscles could improve methods of monitoring "healthy ageing".

Patients And Methods: A total of 346 subjectively healthy adults aged 50-83 years were subjected to tests.

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).

Eccentric Exercise Reduces Upper Trapezius Muscle Stiffness Assessed by Shear Wave Elastography and Myotonometry.

In this study, we tested the hypotheses that unaccustomed eccentric exercise (ECC) would reduce the elastic modulus and dynamic stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle and that these changes would correlate with increases in muscle thickness, reflecting muscle edema. Shear wave elastography was used to measure elastic modulus, dynamic stiffness was assessed using myotonometry, and muscle thickness was measured using ultrasonography. All measurements were performed at four locations over the upper trapezius before and 24 h after a single bout of ECC.

Secular trends in adiposity within the context of changes in BMI across developmental periods among Polish schoolchildren-application of the Slaughter equation.

Objectives: To estimate secular changes in the body fatness, assessed using the Slaughter equation, in the context of changes in BMI in different developmental periods among Polish schoolchildren studied over nearly 50 years.

Methods: Data were collected during Polish Anthropological Surveys (1966, 1978, 1988, 2012). The total random sample consisted of 69,746 schoolchildren, aged 7-18.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Exposure to parental smoking during pregnancy and handgrip strength in 7-10-year old children.

Background: Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a risk factor associated with intrauterine growth retardation and postnatal complications.

Aim: To assess the relationship between prenatal exposure to smoking on hand grip strength in children 7-10 years of age.

Study Design: Generalized Linear Model (GLM) was used to assess the relationship between grip strength and smoking status of parents, controlling for social status, birth outcome and body size.

Efficacy of Physiotherapy in Reducing Back Pain and Improve Joint Mobility in Older Women.

Background: Pain of the spine and large appendicular joints may limit the functional mobility of elderly persons and affect their biological fitness. This paper assesses the effects of comprehensive physical therapy in women with lumbar and cervical pain and compares flexibility in the upper and lower body and the range of motion in selected joints.

Material And Methods: Thirty-three women aged 60-75 years completed a 6-week intervention involving group gymnastics to prevent back pain, relaxation techniques, classic massage, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and ultrasound therapy to the lumbosacral and cervicothoracic regions.

Digit ratio (2D:4D) moderates the change in handgrip strength on an aggressive stimulus: A study among Polish young adults.

Background: The ratio of the lengths of second finger (2D) to the fourth (4D) is a putative indicator of foetal hormonal exposure. The link between 2D:4D and physical strength or sports performance in not consistent. It was suggested that the association of 2D:4D with the sporting and physical ability is better demonstrated in the context of challenge and competition, either real or simulated.

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