Secular changes in the anthropometric and motor characteristics of Polish male university students between 2000 and 2018

Investigating the trends and causes of changes in human anthropometric dimensions over the past three decades: a challenge for ergonomic design

Objectives. The present study aimed to review the changes in anthropometric dimensions around the world during the last 30 years.Methods. The search for this study was conducted in four databases with related keywords. Papers from 1990 to 2021 were reviewed and 4139 articles were identified, with 505 related titles. Of these, 187 articles met the eligibility criteria, and their whole text was examined; 132 articles were then included for the final review.Results. The reviewed studies showed that a large number of anthropometric dimensions of the human body have become larger than in the past, such as height. Although the increasing trend of anthropometric dimensions in the past has been faster than in recent years, decreasing changes have also been seen in some anthropometric dimensions, such as the human jaw, face width and head width. It should be noted that the main reasons for the changes mentioned in the studies are economics and family income, social conditions, health and nutrition.Conclusion. Since the process of changes in anthropometric dimensions is not always the same, anthropometric data should be updated regularly, and work environments and equipment should be reviewed or redesigned according to the new anthropometric data.

Secular change in heights of rural adults in west-central poland between 1986 and 2016: The transition from pre- to post-communism

Secular change in the heights of adult men and women resident in ten rural communities in west-central Poland in four decennial surveys between 1986 and 2016 is considered. The adults were parents of children attending schools in rural communities in the province of Poznań. During each survey, parents of school children were asked to complete a questionnaire which requested their ages, heights and completed levels of education. Ages were reported in whole years. The self-reported heights were adjusted for the tendency of individuals to overestimate height. Height loss among of individuals 35+ years was estimated with sex-specific equations and was added to the adjusted heights. Secular gains in heights of adult males across the 30 year interval, and across the 1986-1996 and 2006-2016 surveys were, on average, larger than corresponding gains in heights of adult females; the sex difference between 1996 and 2006 surveys was negligible. When heights were regressed on year of birth, heights of males and females born before 1950 (prior to World War II and shortly after) showed minimal and non-significant secular changes, while heights of those born post-1950 showed larger and significant secular gains, more so in males than in females. The results highlight significant secular trends in the heights of rural adults over a 30-year interval. Consistent with other studies in Poland, the positive trends likely reflected political, educational and socio-economic changes and by inference improved nutritional and health conditions across generations.

Changes in Anthropometric Measurements and Physical Fitness of Polish Students in 20-Year Period

BACKGROUND

Intergenerational changes are still being recorded worldwide, although their magnitude and direction may vary in different countries. The aim of this study was to determine changes in the magnitude and direction of changes in the body morphology and motor abilities of physically active adults over 20 years.

METHODS

Two hundred and fifty-two individuals aged 18-28 years volunteered to participate in the study. The changes were analyzed over a 20-year period (March 2001; P₁ vs. March 2022; P₂). The measured parameters were body height, weight, and body fat. Further, hand grip strength with dynamometer measurement, a sit-up test, a sit and reach test, and a standing long jump were performed to examine motor abilities. The results of the conducted tests were compared between subjects from both periods.

RESULTS

Our study confirms changes in trends concerning body morphology and motor ability performance. Higher values of body mass index and body fat were observed in P₂ women, whereas these differences were not significant in men. Additionally, in terms of physical performance, the P2 group noted worse results than their peers from the past.

CONCLUSION

Despite young adults claiming to have similar physical activity levels to those observed in the past, they demonstrate poorer physical performance and higher body fat levels. The observed changes can be considered negative.

The Influence of COVID-19 on University Students' Well-Being, Physical Activity, Body Composition, and Strength Endurance

BACKGROUND

Very few scientific studies have simultaneously evaluated changes in well-being (WB), physical activity (PA), and strength endurance (SE) based on results from before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM

The aim of the study was to assess WB, PA, and SE levels, as well as body composition parameters in university students before and during the pandemic.

METHODS

The study included 30 males and 30 females (mean age: 21.7 ± 2.51 and 21.6 ± 2.34 years, respectively). Well-being using the Self-Perception Questionnaire (POMS), PA from the Polish regular version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), body composition parameters using the InBody 270 analyzer, and SE based on the results of a 12 min test involving a Concept 2PM-5 rowing ergometer were assessed before and during the pandemic.

RESULTS

An assessment of university students' WB revealed a significant increase in variables such as tension, depression, anger, confusion, and a significant decline in vigor (p < 0.05). In both sexes, PA and SE decreased significantly-from 2115.4 to 1822.8 METs-min/week and from 2184.5 to 2035 m, respectively, in males, and from 1793.5 to 1699.8 METs-min/week and from 2021.5 to 1943.8 m, respectively, in females. At the same time, body mass and BMI values increased significantly (p < 0.001) in both females and males.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decrease in WB, PA and SE levels in young females and males, and led to a significant increase in their body mass and BMI.

Secular changes in the anthropometric and motor characteristics of Polish male university students between 2000 and 2018

Objectives

To determine changes in the anthropometric and motor characteristics of young males during the first 20 years of the 21st century in Poland.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted in 2000–2018 on 2691 randomly selected male university students aged 19÷25 (20.0 ± 1.1 years). The participants' body mass and height were measured, and the students participated in 13 motor ability tests. The analyzed traits were evaluated by testing the fit of linear and curvilinear functions to empirical data.

Results

The students evaluated in 2018 were 1.7 cm taller than their peers tested in 2000. Body mass and BMI values continued to decrease between 2000 and 2006 (by 0.46 kg and 0.15 kg/m² per year on average), whereas a steady and significant increase in both parameters was observed between 2006 and 2018 (by 0.45 kg and 0.12 kg/m² per year on average). The results of motor tests were strongly correlated with body mass and BMI, and they continued to improve until 2006, after which a steady decline was observed up to 2018 when the students scored lowest in motor tests.

Conclusions

The trend of increasing body height has been maintained in the studied population, but unlike body mass and BMI, the rate of increase in body height was lower than in the preceding years. A decrease in body mass and BMI is correlated with an improvement in motor tests, whereas an increase in the above parameters leads to a significant decline in all evaluated motor abilities.