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2 . 2017

Main indicators of physical development and somatotypological features of men in older age groups

Abstract

The article presents the anthropometric indicators of 210 old age men (aged 60-74 years), 108 elderly men (aged 75-90 years) and 125 long-liver men (aged 90-98 years) of the Slavic ethnic group, living in Moscow and Moscow region. Significant differences in basic anthropometric parameters have been established in body weight and body mass index between the three age groups. Average values of body height in elderly men were lower by 0.6% (p>0.05), and in long-liver men were significantly lower by 4.6% than in old age men. Diameters did not have statistically significant differences in all age groups. Averages values of all circumferences of available limbs significantly differed in three age groups, averages values of waist and thigh circumference significantly differed only in the group of long-liver men and old age men. Averages values of breast circumference were not statistically different in three age groups. Average values of all eight skin-fat folds were significantly lower in long-liver men compared with old age men, whereas in elderly men only skin-fat folds of shoulder front and back, forearms, chest and lower leg were significantly less than in old age men. Somatotypological analysis revealed a different frequency of somatotype occurrence and the prevalence of 3 main types among men of older age groups (old age men, elderly men, long-liver men) - chest (18.5, 26.2 and 28.4%), abdominal-muscle (20.1, 15.4 and 16.8%) and abdominal (20.8, 22.2 and 19.4% respectively). Also the peculiarities of the component body composition of men of older age groups were revealed. Body composition analysis revealed a decrease in the average indicators of the absolute content of bone, fat and muscular body components from the old age to the period of longevity (long-liver men). Absolute content of bone tissue in elderly men (7.9±0.3 kg) didn't differ and in the period of longevity (6.8±0.2 kg) was less by 1.18 fold (p<0.05) than in old age men (8.0±0.3 kg). Absolute amount of body fat tissue in elderly men (16.1±1.2 kg) was less by 1.09 fold (p<0.05) and in long-liver men (12.5±1.0 kg) was less by 1.41 fold (p<0.05) than in old age men (17.6±1.4 kg). Absolute amount of body muscle tissue in elderly men (18.2±0.3 kg) was less by 1.17 fold (p<0.05) and in the period of longevity (16.3±0.2 kg) was less by 1.31 fold (p<0.05) than in old age men (21.3±0.2 kg). Average relative indicators of the major body components with aging undergo a number of changes, which are reflected in the reduction of quantity of bone and muscle tissue and increasing rates of adipose tissue.

Keywords:somatotype, physical development, anthropometry, bioimpedance, old age men, elderly men, long-liver men

Voprosy pitaniia [Problems of Nutrition]. 2017; 86 (2): 32-39. doi: 10.24411/0042-8833-2017-00031.

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CHIEF EDITOR
CHIEF EDITOR
Viktor A. Tutelyan
Full Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Scientific Director of the Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety (Moscow, Russia)

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