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The objective of this study was to evaluate secular changes in the Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight status of rural children and adolescents in west-central Poland across decennial surveys spanning 1986 and 2016. Participants were 8,677 boys and girls 7-15 years attending schools in 10 rural communities in 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2016. Heights and weights were measured; BMIs were calculated. Weight status was classified using International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. The sample was partitioned into three age groups (7–9, 10–12, 13–15 years) for analysis of secular change in the BMI using sex-specific analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with age and age2 as covariates, and for comparison of the prevalence of mild, moderate and severe thinness and of overweight and obesity. BMIs increased, on average, across the four surveys, but differences between adjacent surveys varied. Prevalence of severe and moderate thinness was low in both sexes, while mild thinness tended to decline over time, more so among girls. Overweight and obesity increased over time, especially in 2006 and 2016 compared to 1986 and 1996. In conclusion, secular changes in the BMI between 1986 and 2016 were significant. Age-adjusted mean BMIs suggested a gradient, 2016 > 2006 > 1996 > 1986, except in girls 13–15 years. However, changes across the decennial surveys varied. The observed changes in overweight and obesity between 1986 and 2016 were consistent with studies in Poland spanning the past two generations.

Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine the changes in selected motor parameters of highly skilled field hockey players during the training macrocycle. It was assumed that the changes in the parameters examined in the study would correspond with the hypothesised variation related to the adaptive changes that were expected to take place. Material and methods. The study involved eleven field hockey players from the KS AZS-AWF Poznań club (age = 22.3 ± 1.1 years; height = 176.5 ± 4.0 cm; weight = 75.2 ± 6.3 kg; %FM = 12.2 ± 3.9%; VO2max = 55.4 ± 4.85 ml/kg/min). The dates of the measurements were agreed on with the trainers, who played an active role in the study, and were consistent with the cycle of planned measurements that were aimed at assessing the implementation of training/competition loads (two measurements during the preparatory period and one during the competition period). We examined the fundamental elements of motor preparation that are considered important in field hockey, that is speed endurance, running speed, and aerobic endurance. These assessments were supplemented by the measurements of lactate concentration in capillary blood as well as those of jumping ability and agility. Results. In most cases, the changes in the actual results corresponded with the hypothesised values adopted for the training. The relationships between the levels of particular parameters of the players’ motor skills were adequate to a great extent. Conclusion. The effects of the training observed both for the entire team and for individual players were generally in line with the goals of the training/ competition loads implemented. Any discrepancies that were found were identified and corrected by regulating individual exercise loads and were monitored in subsequent measurements.