title: Anthropometric chest structure of Polish centenarians.
abstract: The aim of the study was to analyze somatometric chest structure in persons aged over 100 years. The study group included 83 women and 13 men, aged 100-108 yr (median age -100.8 yr), who participated in the scientific project: 'Genetic and Environmental Factors of Longevity of Polish Centenarians' in 2002-2004. The Rohrer index of chest structure using acromion-acromion length and body height were compared with the results of pulse oximetry, spirometry, and the level of general physical activity. The majority of the centenarians had a pyknic structure of the chest, most likely as a result of a progressive reduction of body height and chest stooping. In comparison with the women who had marked alterations of chest structure, females with less profound changes had a lower respiratory rate, better tolerance of exercise, higher forced vital capacity, and a higher physical activity. A small number of male subjects studied made it impossible to analyze statistical correlations in this group. We conclude that there is a need to redefine anthropometric indices for a reliable assessment of chest structure in senescent subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Geriatrics, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Broczek
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pawlińska-Chmara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kupisz-Urbańska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mossakowska
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001827:Body Height; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010092:Oximetry; D011044:Poland; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D013147:Spirometry; D013909:Thorax / Q000473:pathology*; D014797:Vital Capacity