Activity pattern, smoking habits, and somatometric variables of the Czechoslovakian population

A total of 3762 subjects of both sexes, natives of Czechoslovakia, ranging in age from 12--55 years, were examined. Both anamnestic data and selected anthropometric variables were evaluated. The proportion of non-smokers for adult males was 47--56%, and for adult females was 54--74% of the population. The proportion of subjects not engaged in any type of physical activity decreases in boys between 12 and 18 years from 28 to 16%, in girls between 12 and 15 years from 25 to 22%; from then on the trend reverses and the percentages rises up to 42% in men and 65% in women. The number of subjects participating in competitive sporting activity reaches its peak at 18 years, when 46% of boys annd 43% of girls compete, but then decreases quickly. 12 year old girls are taller and heavier than boys but at 15 years the relationship is reversed. The LBM at the age of 12 is equal in boys and girls, but from then till 18 years the increase is larger in boys. The LBM weight in adults remains steady, women attaining 77% of the value found in men. The skinfold increases with age similarly in both sexes, except for an interval between 12 and 18 years, when girls show a steeper increase. Adult women attain 121--160% of the values characteristic for men. The grip strength of the right hand equals about 50 kp in adult men and 30 kp in adult women. Within the age range followed, it remains unaffected by age.