Socioeconomic Determinants of the Anthropometric Characteristics and Motor Abilities of Polish Male University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in 2000–2018

Robert Podstawski, Piotr Markowski, Dariusz Choszcz, Michał Boraczyński and Piotr Gronek
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Robert Podstawski: Department of Tourism, Recreation and Ecology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Piotr Markowski: Department of Heavy Duty Machines and Research Methodology, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Dariusz Choszcz: Department of Heavy Duty Machines and Research Methodology, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Michał Boraczyński: Faculty of Health Sciences, Olsztyn University College, 10-283 Olsztyn, Poland
Piotr Gronek: Department of Dance and Gymnastics, University of Physical Education in Poznan, 61-871 Poznań, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between socioeconomic factors, anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of male university students. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted from 2000 to 2018 on 2691 male university students aged 19.98 ± 1.05 years, who were randomly selected from students attending obligatory physical education (PE) classes. The participants’ body mass and height were measured, and students participated in 13 motor ability tests that assessed their speed/agility, flexibility, strength and endurance abilities. Multiple independent samples were compared with the Kruskal–Wallis test or the mean-ranks post-hoc test when significant differences were observed in the participants’ motor abilities. Results: Factors such as the place of permanent residence, students’ monthly budget, and mother’s and father’s educational background, significantly ( p < 0.05) influenced the body mass, BMI and motor abilities of first-year university students. The participants’ motor abilities (speed/agility, flexibility—partly, strength, strength endurance, and endurance) were most frequently and most significantly determined by their monthly budgets, and were least frequently and least significantly determined by their place of permanent residence. Conclusions: The students’ body height, BMI and motor abilities generally increased with a rise in population in the place of permanent residence, monthly budget, and the parents’ educational attainment.

Keywords: motor performance; somatic traits; socioeconomic indicators; first-year university students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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