Linear skeletal growth was reduced with increased blood lead, even at levels below that considered for action by US CDC standards. The reduction in height occurred primarily in leg length. Arm length was also reduced, suggesting limb lengths in general were affected by blood lead. Results are consistent with lead-associated interruption of (1) major epiphyseal growth plate chondrocyte hyperplasia, hypertrophy, and interrupted matrix calcification as a primary cause of stunted long bone growth, and reduced stature; and (2) attenuated osteoblast activity (proliferation and migration) as a secondary cause of stunted growth in the study population.

Sex Differences in Growth and Performance of Track and Field Athletes 11-15 Years Objective: To evaluate sex differences in functional performances of youth track and field athletes. Methods: Four tests of functional capacity were administered to 309 youth 11-15 years training for track and field at sport schools, 136 boys and 173 girls. Grip strength, standing long jump, 2 kg medicine ball throw and 20 m sprint were measured; height, weight and adiposity were also. Two age groups were compared, 11-13 and 14-15 years. ANCOVA was used to test sex differences by age group in the total sample (disciplines combined) and specific disciplines; age, height and weight were covariates. Results: For the total sample, males in both age groups performed better than females in the four tests but sex differences were greater among 14-15 year olds. Within disciplines, sex differences among sprinters and middle distance and distance runners were greater at 14-15 years. Results varied for general athletics; the magnitude of sex differences was similar for strength in both age groups, greater for the throw at 11-13 years and greater for the jump and sprint at 14-15 years. Conclusion: Although sex differences in performance were apparent among athletes 11-13 years, they were greater among athletes 14-15 years, reflecting to a large extent the male adolescent spurt in body size, muscle mass, strength and power. Sex differences were more established in sprinters and middle distance and distance runners, and more variable in participants in general athletics.

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.

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.

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.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between physical fitness and various aspects of quality of life in middle-aged adults and the elderly. Methods. The sample included 216 women and 43 men, living in a medium-sized city in Poland aged 50-84 years. Physical fitness was determined using a test battery specifically designed for the elderly (Senior Fitness Test); grip strength by the dominate hand was also measured. The short form of the WHOQOL-brEF questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of life. Four domains (physical, psychological, social relationships, environment) of quality of life as well as overall quality of life and health were self-assessed. Results. Among the selected components of physical fitness measured in the study, the assessment of overall quality of life in women was related to upper limb strength and, depending on the quality of life domain, also with upper or lower body flexibility. In men, the only factor influencing their overall assessment was upper body flexibility, whereas cardiorespiratory efficiency was the only factor influencing their detailed self-assessment of the physical health domain. Additionally, the self-assessment of general health in men was significantly positively correlated with cardiopulmonary efficiency. In women, the general health assessment was correlated with upper limb strength and upper body flexibility. Conclusions. It was concluded that after the fifth decade of life, physical fitness plays a greater role in improving the self-assessment of quality of life in women than men. Physical activity undertaken by middle-aged and elderly adults should focus on first improving cardiorespiratory efficiency and then strength and flexibility.

Purpose. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the physical activity patterns of preschoolers aged 6-7 years. Methods. A sample of 221 preschool children (116 boys and 105 girls) aged 6 (5.92 ± 0.30) and 7 (6.91 ± 0.25) years was recruited. Physical activity was assessed over 7 consecutive days by using pedometers to determine step counts (steps/day). Accrued anthropometric data included height, mass, and bMI. Data were compared with ANOVA to determine any significant differences between age and sex groups and the part of the week (weekday/weekend); intergroup differences were evaluated with Fisher's LSD test. A < 0.05 level of significance was adopted for all statistical tests. Results. No significant differences were found between the age groups (6-and 7-year olds). Physical activity over the 7-day period was significantly greater in the boys (13318 ± 2354 steps/day) than girls (12300 ± 2750 steps/day). Mean weekday step counts were greater among boys (13800 ± 2458 steps/day) than girls (12587 ± 2802 steps/day); this difference was statistically significant. Mean weekend steps were 12112 ± 3467 and 11579 ± 3930 steps/ day for the boys and girls, respectively. Mean weekday steps were significantly greater (p < 0.001) than mean weekend steps in both groups. The recommendation of 12000 steps/day was met by 60.6% of the sample (69.0% boys, 51.4% girls). Conclusions. Sex differences in physical activity patterns were observed in the sample of preschool children. boys, compared with girls, were characterized with a higher physical activity level on both weekdays and weekend days. Physical activity for both sexes was lower on weekend days than weekdays. The results indicate the need for improved health literacy among parents on current recommended physical activity guidelines and the suitability of a pedometer-based assessment method.

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