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Copyright of Polish Journal of Sports Medicine / Medycyna Sportowa is the property of Agencja Wydawnicza Medsportpress Sp. z o. o. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polish Journal of Sports Medicine / Medycyna Sportowa is the property of Agencja Wydawnicza Medsportpress Sp. z o. o. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polish Journal of Sports Medicine / Medycyna Sportowa is the property of Agencja Wydawnicza Medsportpress Sp. z o. o. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polish Journal of Sports Medicine / Medycyna Sportowa is the property of Agencja Wydawnicza Medsportpress Sp. z o. o. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Physiotherapy / Fizjoterapia is the property of Physiotherapy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Optimal dose of physical activity in the prevention of atherosclerosis remains unclear. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) on selected indices of atherosclerosis in the working-age population of men., Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in a cohort of asymptomatic men participating in follow-up examinations in the Healthy Men Clinic, Medical University of Lodz. Of the 132 men who responded to the invitation to participate in this study, 101 men were eligible for the non-invasive assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis indices. Self-reported PA was assessed by interviewer-administered validated questionnaires. During the latest follow-up subclinical atherosclerosis was measured by assessing the coronary artery calcification (CAC), the carotid inti ma-media thickness (IMT) and the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) using peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT2000)., Results: Preliminary results have been elaborated in the group of 60 men (mean age: 61.3 +/- 8.85 years). The participants were predominantly white collar workers with low occupational LTPA. The cohort was divided into 3 groups according to the LTPA level. Both dose and energy expenditure of recreational PA significantly correlated with CA, IMT and RHI in the whole cohort. The majority of men maintained their baseline PA throughout the observation period. Men with the highest LTPA level had significantly lower mean CAC, IMT (p < 0.01), and significantly higher mean RHI (p < 0.05) compared to the least active group. On final examination men with high PA had also the most favorable cardiovascular profile., Conclusions: The preliminary results indicate the protective effect of high LTPA level in the context of subclinical atherosclerosis in men.

Research conducted for many years, on smoking harm has revealed a connection between using nicotine and numerous disorders affecting human beings. Nowadays 33% of Poles smoke, 11-25% of the elderly smoke. There are plentiful anti-smoking campaigns aimed at the young and those in their reproductive years. Such campaigns addressed to the elderly are a seldom occurrence. The aim of this work was to analyze the actual functioning and health of smokers aged 65 and more living in various surroundings. The research involved a group of 300 individuals aged more than 65: older people home residents--100 individuals, veteran home residents--100 individuals and the University of the Third Age students--100 individuals. The tool utilized in the course of the research was a questionnaire concerning smoking, diseases affecting the subjects, medication taken and personal information. Assessment of a functional state, physical activity, mental state and health was carried out with the help of General Geriatric Assessment questionnaires. In the researched group, the frequency of smoking was 11.3%, 18.1% among men, 9.2% among women. The average age of the smokers was 70.6 +/- 5.6, the average age of the non-smokers was 75.5 +/- 7.0 .The average number of cigarettes smoked was 11.3 +/- 7.3 a day. The older the subjects of the research, the smaller percentage of the smokers among them as well as the fewer cigarettes smoked. The smokers indicated a substantially higher MMSE result, Tinetti, lower BMI, lower percentage of fat, lower frequency of being affected by cataract or urinary incontinence and a larger number of lung conditions. In the researched groups both in the older people home and veteran home residents, the smokers are younger, better educated, more fit, better nourished, possessing a larger mental capacity and hand strength as compared to the other members of a given community. Among the University of the Third Age students no significant differences between the smokers and non-smokers were observed. The smallest percentage of the smokers is among the University of the Third Age students (9%), the largest among the older people home residents (14%). The most cigarettes are smoked by the University of the Third Age students, the fewest by the older people home and the veteran home residents. Women smokers constitute majority among the University of the Third Age students whereas there are more men smokers among the older people home and the veteran home residents. There is a distinct need of organizing anti-smoking campaigns aimed at the elderly taking into account the area of their functioning.

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the most common method of treatment of severe hip osteoarthritis. There is little data concerning the physical activity of total hip arthroplasty patients in Poland and investigations to explore this area are useful. The aim of the study was to describe the post-operative physical activity of total hip arthroplasty patients., Material and Methods: A total of 146 adult people were examined, among which 28 men and 41 women had undergone total hip arthroplasty due to primary osteoarthritis of the hip, while another 32 men and 41 women matched for age who had not undergone hip surgery for osteoarthritis served as controls. The physical activity of study participants was assessed with the 7-Day Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire. All participants were also asked about the type and amount of physical activity they engaged in to maintain good health., Results and Conclusions: Physical activity measured as the total amount of calories expended through physical activity per week was similar in the post-THA patients compared to the controls. The only differences were a smaller amount of calories expended during low-intensity physical activity by men after total hip arthroplasty compared to men who had not undergone surgery for osteoarthritis and a smaller amount of calories expended through high-intensity physical activity by women after total hip arthroplasty compared to female controls. The kinds of recreational physical activity most commonly practised by patients a mean of two years after total hip arthroplasty were marching, bicycling and general body conditioning exercises (usually the continuation of exercises recommended during post-operative rehabilitation). The percentage of post-THA patients undertaking physical activity for the prevention of non-communicable diseases was low. Physical activity should be more effectively encouraged in patients after total hip arthroplasty.

An increase in the percentage of elderly subjects in the society has been observed in Poland and in the world from many years. Ageing is associated with an impaired functioning of many organs and systems, including the immune system, respiratory system and the urinary tract. Although circulating immune cell numbers and immunoglobulin levels are relatively unchanged, changes in cell activity (especially T-lymphocyte function, among others an increase in CD4+/CD8+ ratio and increase in the proportion of memory cells with a concomitant decrease in naive T lymphocytes) cause a decline in both cell-mediated immunity and antibody response to immunogen. Age-associated changes in local defenses are also important: decreased functioning of respiratory system, ageing of the skin, atrophy of urinary tract, and decrease in gastric acidity. All of these impairments result in decreased resistance to infections. People over the age of 65 are at increased risk of developing pneumonia, influenza and urinary tract infections. It presents not only a serious clinical problem but also epidemiological and social one.

Infections constitute one of the most important health problems in ageing society. Infection prevention is multifactorial and includes a healthy lifestyle, an appropriate nutrition, regular physical exercises and vaccinations: against influenza, pneumococcal vaccine, against tetanus. Elimination of risk factors is also important, especially in hospitalized and institutionalized elderly: limiting visits during periods of increased incidence, respiratory prophylactics, prevention of aspiration and prevention of urinary tract infections among others by limiting indications for catheterization. Infection treatment in the elderly is often modified due to pathophysiological changes in this age group. The purpose of this article is to present the most important actual information concerning this subject.

The incidence of thromboembolic episodes as well as cardiovascular diseases increases with advancing age. Antythrombin III (AT III) is one of the three natural anticoagulants (AT III, protein C, protein S) circulatig in blood vessels and responsible for an adequate blood flow. The aim of the study was to evaluate AT III level in a random sample of community-dwelling older inhabitants of Lodz (Poland), and to assess the relationship of AT III activity with other cardiovascular risk factors and selected elements of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. In 176 examined subjects (108 women and 68 men) mean AT III activity was 89.8 +/- 20.7%. Statistically significant relationship of AT III activity with age (Spearman's rho=-0.23; p=0.002), trigliceride level (rho=0.17; p=0.03), Geriatric Depression Scale (rho=-0.17; p=0.03) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (rho=0.16; p=0.03) was found. AT III activity was not associated with gender, BMI, WHR, percentage of body fat, total, LDL and HDL-cholesterol levels, glucose, fibrinogen, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, smoking habit, Activities of Daily Living scale, Mini-Mental State Examination scale, physical activity level and concomitant diseases. These results suggest that age, depression, and lower functional capacity are associated with lower AT III activity and may contribute to overall thromboembolic risk profile in adults aged more than 65 years.

Unlabelled: There are only few studies analyzing longitudinal effects of regular physical activity on the prevalence of obesity and other characteristics of metabolic syndrome. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of various training programs on the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged men. Long-term effects of training (mean 17.5 years) have been compared in 305 men aged 30-59 years (mean 41.8) divided into three groups: sedentary (S) individuals (LTPA <1000 kcal/week), group with moderate (M) LTPA (LTPA between 1000-2000 kcal/week) and highly (H) active group (LTPA > 2000 kcal/week). We analyzed also aerobic capacity influence on anthropometric and metabolic data. Mean values of body weight, BMI and body fat increased in all groups, however the values in H group are much more favorable as compared with sedentary and moderately active individuals. At final examination we diagnosed obesity (BMI > or = 30.0 kg/m2) in 23.3% sedentary men, 20.0% of moderate activity and 12% of highly active group. Frequency of obesity increased above twofold in sedentary individuals (10.8 vs 23.3%). Consequently only H group was able to maintain BMI value about 25.0 and to increase significantly HDL (51.7 vs. 56.6 mg/dl) in the follow-up. Metabolic syndrome as defined by ATP III has been diagnosed in 26.6% of sedentary, 23.1% of moderate and only 8.4% of highly active middle-aged men., Conclusions: the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome development in middle-aged men depends on leisure time physical activity volume and aerobic capacity. Training with exercise expenditure > 2000 kcal/week which results in maintenance of good aerobic capacity level is a strong protective factor in development of obesity and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged men.

In recent years more attention is paid to the role of body weight change and cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of the study was to evaluate correlation between body weight change and risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and selected cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged male during long-term surveillance. The study was conducted among group of healthy male volunteers (n=189) aged 30-49 years at baseline. Prevalence of disease due to cardiovascular causes was ascertained in study participants during an average follow-up of 17.7 +/- 4.4 years. Changes in weight were classified in three categories: stable weight (+/- 5 kg), weight gain (>5 kg) or weight loss (>5 kg). Logistic regression analysis was performed to study the correlation between weight change and Relative Risk (RR) of cardiovascular disease in the examined subjects. All analyses were adjusted for age, smoking and level of leisure-time physical activity. In this study 48.4% men maintained weight, 5.9% lowered weight and 45.7% gained weight. Ischaemic heart disease was diagnosed in 12.2% of men, including non fatal myocardial infarction in 5.3%, hypertension in 40.7%, and hyperchoesterolaemia in 62.4%, respectively. Among participants with weight gain of more than 5 kg total cardiovascular disease risk was 4 times higher (adjusted RR=4.07, 95% CI, 1.33-12.44), ischaemic heart disease 3 times higher (adjusted RR=3.27, 95% CI, 1.17-9.17), and hypercholesterolaemia 2 times higher (adjusted RR=2.15, 95% CI, 1.09-4.24) in comparison with those with stable weight. This study results suggests that maintaining stable weight during adulthood can be effective strategy for lowering cardiovascular disease risk.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of blood plasma in healthy men and in men with coronary heart disease differentiated by their level of physical activity., Material and Methods: The study was carried out in the two groups of age-adjusted men. Group I comprised 100 healthy men aged 56.6 +/- 8.5 years and group II involved 100 men with identified coronary heart disease aged 56.6 +/- 7.2 years. BMI was determined in every participant. Level of energy expediture was determined by calculating the amount of hours per week spent for different recreational sports activities. Spectrophotometric method FRAP (Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma) was applied to estimate total antioxidant capacity of blood plasma., Results: Values of absorbance describing level of total antioxidant capacity of blood plasma in 1', 3' and 10' minut of reaction time window differed between groups. Men with coronary heart disease were characterised by higher antioxidant defense system than healthy ones. Energy expediture expressed in kcal per week was statistically higher in healthy subjects. In healthy men positive correlation was found between level of total antioxidant capacity (in 1', 3' and 10' minut of reaction time window) and BMI (p< or = 0.05). Statistically significant negative correlation was found for TAC and level of energy expediture. Among men with coronary heart disease there was statistically significant positive correlation between the values of total antioxidant capacity (in 1', 3' and 10' minut of reaction time window) and BMI. There was no statistically significant correlation neither between age and TAC, nor between energy expediture and TAC., Conclusions: The level of total antioxidant capacity estimated with FRAP method was higher in men with coronary heart disease in comparison with healthy men. Antioxidant potential was higher along with the increase of BMI in both groups. Increased energy expenditure was related to decreased total antioxidant capacity, but only in healthy men.

Recent research data bring about sound scientific evidence on the importance of resistance training in health promotion and primary and secondary prevention of many diseases. This paper reviews the current scientific evidence and the most important recommendations on resistive training programming in healthy adults, elderly subjects and cardiac and pulmonary patients. An adequate resistance training appears to be an effective and safe method of improvement of muscle strength, enhancement of aerobic endurance (VO2max), beneficial modification of risk factors of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and increase in autonomy and well-being, especially in the elderly and cardiac and pulmonary patients. An appropriate preliminary examination, exercise programme and medical control increase the safety and long-term effectiveness of strength training.