2012, Volume 4, Issue 3
Relationships between Chosen Motor and Morphological Characteristics of Young Men and Women: Longitudinal Research
Marek Drozdowski1, Ewa Ziółkowska-Łajp1
1Department of Anthropology and Biometry, University School of Physical Education in Poznan
Author for correspondence: Marek Drozdowski; Department of Anthropology and Biometry, University School of Physical Education in Poznan; email: marekdr[at]wp.pl
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Abstract
Background: Disadvantageous tendencies bound with a growing distance between the somatic development and motor condition of children and youth raise well understood anxiety, as these phenomena endanger health and fitness of future generations. The aim of this work is to verify if the above-mentioned phenomenon may be referred to youth groups for whom physical activity and motor development are important elements of everyday life.
Material/Methods: Between 1983 and 2009 data on a total of 7,663 men and 7,368 women from Poznan AWF (University School of Physical Education) were collected annually at the same time each year. Information was collected on the body height and mass, and the vertical jump test. The maximum anaerobic work was calculated.
Results: In both men and women there was a tendency for a negative association between body dimensions and fitness. A correlation analysis revealed a strong relationship between body height and mass, directly proportional tendencies, at p<0.05 significance level, and better performance on the vertical jump test associated with higher maximum anaerobic work.
Conclusions: Summing up, it is possible to suppose that along with stabilization of the economic situation of the state one should expect maintaining the progress of the secular trend in the case of somatic features; unfortunately, at the same time we will probably observe a slump in motor development.
Key words: secular trend, physical activity