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OBJECTIVE: The correlation between physical fitness and health indicators still requires a research aimed at improving the knowledge about physical fitness and the impact of obesity on the health status in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is an analysis of the results of the EUROFIT battery tests in relation to routine laboratory parameters and the inflammation markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the group of 123 Polish adolescents the routine parameters of lipid metabolism and acute phase proteins were investigated, and compared with EUROFIT motor fitness tests results, expressed as percentiles of the results achieved by healthy Polish population. RESULTS: Most of the EUROFIT tests battery were performed by overweight adolescent girls on an insufficient level. Children who were described by parameters indicating more advanced obesity performed the EUROFIT tests worse. There was showed a negative correlation between the concentration of HDL cholesterol and the long jump (rho=-0.304) as well as with the speed of limb movement (rho=-0.277). There was a positive correlation between the speed of limb movement and the concentration of triglycerides (rho=0.335), LDL cholesterol (rho=0.305) and the percentage of the A4 (rho=0.239). CONCLUSIONS: Disturbed lipid parameters, as well as altered glycosylation profiles of acute phase proteins, were observed in all overweight children, and the intensity of alterations correlated with worse fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Sitting is one of milestones in motor development. However, reaching of the sitting position must precede achieving the ability of independent sitting. Qualitative assessment of motor performance at 3 months of age, with the prospective quantitative assessment of the function of independent reaching of the sitting position at the age of 8 months. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 125 children, 51 girls and 74 boys (born at term n = 78; born prematurely n = 47) were subject to prospective assessment of motor development with qualitative characteristics at the age of 3 months and quantitative characteristics at the age of 8 months. In parallel, the children were subjected to neurological assessment. Risk factors that could potentially affect motor development were analyzed. RESULTS: Children who at the age of 3 months performed at least 13/15 qualitative elements in the prone position and at least 13/15 qualitative elements in the supine position, at the age of 8 months reached independently the sitting position. Poor qualitative assessment at the age of 3 months and a higher prevalence of risk factors increased the risk of non-reaching the sitting position. In the prone position, the pelvis, lower limbs, the arms and shoulders showed the most expressed differences between the children who reached or did not reached the independent sitting. For the supine position, the pelvis and lower limbs, as well as the extension of the spine and correct alignment of the shoulders showed the most expressed differences. CONCLUSIONS: Proper qualitative development at the age of 3 months is a good predictor of the achievement of independent reaching of the sitting position at the age of 8 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Last few decades have witnessed rapid ageing of the population. The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia is significantly higher in people aged 60 and over than in younger. The aim of the study was the assessment of the putative associations between physical activity and cognitive functioning in elderly inhabitants of a rural area. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The participants underwent physical assessment, physical activity, cognitive functions, depression were assessed. RESULTS: Highly active participants had better results in tests assessing psychomotor speed and in measuring attention and its flexibility comparing to groups of medium and low physical activity. Active people made fewer errors in the test measuring visual memory and new learning, and had significantly better results in the spatial-recognition memory test. Persons with symptoms of depression performed worse in visuospatial memory and working memory tests. Associations between physical activity and cognitive test results as well as association between body mass index and blood pressure and cognitive performance were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest an association between higher physical activity and better cognitive functioning in the field of working memory and visual and spatial-recognition, attention and attention flexibility. Symptoms of depression, hypertension and increased BMI may adversely affect cognitive performance in elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: In European countries more than 50% of the population are overweight, 30% with obesity. In Poland overweight was present in 41% of men and 28.7% of women (obesity 15.7% and 19.9%). It was examined whether obesity affects serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which may lead to the consequences of obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and finally the metabolic syndrome. We aimed to examine whether obesity affects the serum levels of BDNF and IL-6. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 144 people aged 45 to 86 years, 80 subjects with diagnosed obesity and 64 with normal body weight, ≤ 65 years old (n = 45) and > 65 years old (n = 99). All patients underwent tests of glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides levels, using routine laboratory methods. A test of the concentration of IL-6 and BDNF was carried out. The declared level of physical activity (gymnastics, cycling or walking) was considered. RESULTS: It was shown that in women ≤ 65 years old, obesity was associated with higher levels of interleukin-6. When the test group, divided into the above categories, was analyzed for the diagnosis of hypertension, heart failure or diabetes mellitus, no statistically significant differences in the investigated parameters were detected. The concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor did not differ in the investigated subjects, regardless of sex, age, obesity, or the declared physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of interleukin-6 in younger people, including those with normal body weight, correlated with total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and it was significantly higher in obese women compared to those with normal body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Early diagnosis is necessary in order to determine neurological integrity and the potential risk of improper development, and also to undertake possible early intervention. The quantitative assessment consists of observation of motor development, and provides information about whether a child performs an activity (movement) expected at a given life period. The qualitative assessment of motor performance verifies whether a specific activity is performed properly. The papers aims to demonstrate the motor performance assessment sheet for infants at the age of 6 months and assessment of qualitative elements of 3rd month at the age of 6 months. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 173 infants (76f/97m) were assessed by a neurologist and a physiotherapist at the age of 6 and 9 months. The neurologist set the final diagnosis at the age of 16 months. Additionally, the physiotherapist assessed qualitative elements typical of the 6th month and of the 3rd month. Risk factors possibly affecting motor performance were considered. RESULTS: The assessment performed by the neurologist and the physiotherapist demonstrated high conformity. Infants with varying degrees of developmental delay and with cerebral palsy at the age of 6 months have still not achieved all of the qualitative characteristics typical of the 3rd month of life, nor proper performance for the 6th month. The low Apgar score and the presence of intraventricular haemorrhage affected the motor development at the age of 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The author's motor development assessment sheet applied at the age of 6 months proves to be a sensitive research tool and demonstrates good predictive value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Obesity entails serious health consequences associated with the development of inflammation in the body and it has an impact on physical fitness. Obesity is not only related to the development of inflammation in the body, but it is a condition involving the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Aim of this paper was the comparison of parameters of physical fitness and inflammatory condition in overweight and obese adolescents from urban and rural areas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 113 children aged from 12 to 18 who were overweight or obese (mean body weight 89.32 ± 17.69, height 168.6 ± 9.82, BMI 31.27 ± 4.38 BMI). Physical fitness was measured using the Eurofit test, while concentrations and profiles of the glycosylation of the acute phase proteins was investigated by means of electrophoretic methods. RESULTS: The study demonstrated inferior results of fitness tests and the presence of features of inflammation in adolescents in both age groups, compared with their peers who had no problems with overweight or obesity. Boys from the younger group have a higher BMI and poorer Eurofit test results than their urban counterparts. Boys from rural areas show markers of acute inflammation, correlating with worse results of endurance, explosive power and speed tests. CONCLUSIONS: Young people from rural areas are more at risk of metabolic consequences of obesity than their peers from urban areas, due to poorer fitness and already visible markers of inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In obesity, elevated insulin resistance is observed, which may be associated with disturbances in mineral status in the body. The few studies concerning the status of minerals and their relationships with insulin resistance and body composition in adolescent populations have brought inconclusive results. AIM: of this study is, thus, to assess serum mineral concentration in obese adolescents, and to evaluate their potential association with insulin resistance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight obese adolescents and 20 healthy volunteers aged 12-18 years were recruited for the study. Selected anthropometrical measurements and levels of iron, zinc, copper, calcium, and magnesium were assessed in serum. Insulin resistance in the participants was evaluated according to the homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) protocol. Levels of iron, zinc, copper, calcium, and magnesium were assessed in serum. RESULTS: Obese subjects had significantly higher HOMA-IR indices than the control group. Compared to healthy subjects, the serum concentration of zinc, calcium, and magnesium was significantly lower in obese subjects. A significant inverse relation was found between HOMA-IR and zinc levels in serum. CONCLUSIONS: Obese adolescents have a poorer mineral status (especially zinc) than adolescents of normal weight, which can contribute to insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response from the author of the article "Obesity itself does not influence BDNF serum levels in adults," published in a 2014 issue.