Social and Somatic Determinants of Physical Fitness in Men Aged 20-70 Years from Cracow

Purpose. The aim of this study was to determine effects of social and somatic variables on changes of physical fitness in men aged 20-70 years. For this purpose a cross-sectional study of 1,420 industrial workers was carried out. Basic procedures. Correlations were examined between several variables: age, education, physical activity level, BMI, WHR, results of five Eurofit tests (flamingo balance test, plate tapping, sit and reach, standing broad jump, hand grip) and YMCA 3-minute Step Test. ANOVA and step-wise regression were used in the statistical analysis. Main findings. The obtained results point to: (1) a varied regression of motor and cardio-vascular fitness in male subjects between 20 and 70 years of age; (2) high correlation between the standing broad jump results and all the analysed variables; (3) the highest percentage of assignable variation in the results of standing broad jump, hand grip strength tests and % HRmax affected by age and BMI. Conclusions. The significance of the impact of social and somatic variables on motor fitness varies and depends on subjects' age. The regression of motor fitness in men after 50 years of age is a symptom of gradual loss of adaptability to social life concurring with andropause, which is discussed in detail in professional literature.