title: [Trends in physical fitness in male white collar workers in the Czech population over the past 20 years].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Common mortality and especially mortality on CAD is increased by low aerobic component of physical fitness. A study dealing with physical fitness changes of the Czech population has been still missing in our bibliography. The aim of the study was to evaluate physical fitness changes in the Czech male population since last 20 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical fitness in 494 men in the age range of 20 - 60 years was compared to the men fitness examined 20 years ago. In the men of 20 - 29.9 years peak power (3.90 W vs 3.46 W, p < 0.01) and maximal ventilation (1.38 l.min-1 vs 1.24 l.min-1, p < 0.05) decreased. In the men 30 - 39.9 years old only peak aerobic power (37.2 ml.min-1 vs 35.7 ml.min-1, p < 0.05) slightly decreased. In the men 40 - 49.9 years old Vemax.kg-1 (1.38 l.min-1 vs 1.18 l.min-1, p < 0.001) and VO2max.kg-1 (35.6 ml.min-1 vs 32.4 ml.min-1, p < 0.001) severely decreased as well as in 50 - 59.9 years old men VEmax.kg-1 (1.23 l.min-1 vs 1.13 l.min-1, p < 0.05) and VO2max.kg-1 (32.7 ml.min-1 vs 29.4 ml.min-1, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical fitness of the Czech white-collar men decreased. The decline of physical fitness was related not only to lower exercise activity, but also to significant increment of body fat. Physical fitness, especially its aerobic component, decreased in Czech older men since last 20 years.
authors.affiliation: Ustav tĕlovýchovného lékarství, l. LF UK, Praha.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vilikus
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Novotný
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barácková
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boudová
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Novotný
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brandejský
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology