Validity of a diagnostic instrument to measure fine motor coordination

The assessment and analysis of fine motor coordination is a difficult task due to the intrinsic complexity of psychomotor performance and its integration with cognitive functioning. The increasing use of electronics (e.g. computers, tablets, smartphones) in daily life has made fine motor skills increasingly important The aim of this study was to test fine motor performance with two congruent diagnostic instruments, the Motor Performance Series workboard and an enhanced version known as the Motor Coordination Analyzer for the Upper Extremity. Twenty-eight female 1st year university students completed a series of hand dexterity tasks (i.e. steadiness, line tracing, aiming, inserting pins, and tapping) using analogous test protocols on both devices. Moderate to strong correlations were obtained between the two instruments, suggesting that the device can also be used in the assessment of fine motor coordination

evaluatiOn Of discriminant rOle Of mOther’s educatiOn and family size in shaping bOdy height Of children frOm the cOpper basin

Introduction. Growth of the children influence several environmental factors, including urban development level of the place of residence, parents” education and number of children in family. Many survey results reveal that body height is a sensitive measure of environmental interaction and physical growth in a period of progressive growth. The aim of the research was to determine if mother’s education and number of children in family are among the factors which modify the body height in ecologically endangered environment, urban and rural. Material and methods. 2599 boys and girls aged 7– 15 were examined. Children represented primary and secondary schools in Polkowice and rural region schools near Legnica and Głogów. Surveys were performed in the years 2007 and 2008. Every subject was examined for body height and data from questionnaire provided information on mother’s education and number of children in family. Results. Reportedly, it was noticed, that groups of boys and girls are different in body height which depend on level of urbanization of living environment and socio-economic standards. Conclusions. Collected results reveal that such factors as mother’s education and number of children in the family make differences in body height of young generation and they occur in both environments – urban and rural – with different intensity

Socioeconomic inequalities in health-related fitness gradient shifts between 2001 and 2022 in young Polish adults

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the importance of socioeconomic status (SES) on health-related fitness (H-RF) measurements in young adults and determine the impact of SES over 20 years of substantial social and economic changes in Poland.Material and methodsThe study compared H-RF differences between 2001 (P1) and 2022 (P2) in 252 volunteers aged 18 to 28 years who were grouped into quartiles based on SES and gender. The variables measured included height, weight, body mass index, body fat mass, hand strength (hand grip), abdomen strength (sit-ups), flexibility (sit and reach), and leg power (standing long jump), with a synthetic motor performance index (MPSI) calculated for each participant.ResultsHealth-related differences based on social inequalities included body fat mass and MPSI, and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed an interaction between SES and period on motor performance (F = 2.73, p = 0.045). In addition, post-hoc tests revealed differences in P1 between SES quartiles one and two (p = 0.028). Over the last 20 years, physical fitness decreased and body fat increased. The regression slope showed decreased motor performance with higher amounts of body fat in P2 subjects compared to their P1 peers.ConclusionThe observed trends may be associated with lifestyle changes shaped by technology development, high-energy and low-quality food access, and increased physical inactivity

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

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