title: Structural and functional markers of health depending on lifestyle in elderly women from Poland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To comparatively analyze the rate and magnitude of age-related changes between two groups of elderly women with different lifestyles living in Poland: women attending a University of the Third Age (active lifestyle) and less-active peers not involved in any seniors association.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in 2010-2012. The study design was approved by the Senate Ethics Committee for Scientific Research of the University School of Physical Education. In total, 417 women were recruited. Basic somatic characteristics, body composition, bone mineral density, physical fitness, respiratory function, postural stability, and body posture were measured. Regression analysis and Student's t-tests for independent samples were calculated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The best results among the tests assessing functional biological markers of health were found in the group of elderly women attending a University of the Third Age. The rate of change was larger in the group of seniors leading a less-active lifestyle, indicating the important role of a preventive gerontological approach and the participation of seniors in programs that accentuate the need for physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physiotherapy, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skrzek
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Zofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ignasiak
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sławińska
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Domaradzki
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fugiel
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sebastjan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physiotherapy, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rożek
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D015415:Biomarkers; D001823:Body Composition; D015519:Bone Density; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011044:Poland; D004856:Postural Balance; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: age-related changes; bone mineral density; elderly women; lifestyle; markers of health