Study aim: To measure the effects of Pilates and aqua fitness training on functional fitness and quality of life in older individuals. Material and methods: A total of 54 participants (M = 66.4 ± 6.2 years) from a club for retired people in Eger, Hungary, were randomly assigned to 3 groups: one did Pilates 3 times/week (n = 22); one did aqua fitness 3 times/week (n = 17); and a control group (n = 15). The Fullerton Functional Fitness Test (FFFT) was used to measure functional fitness pre - and post-program. Quality of life was measured by WHO’s quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL). Results: In the FFFT, significant improvement was found in 5 out of 7 variables: lower and upper body strength, lower body flexibility, physical mobility (especially dynamic balance), and aerobic endurance by the Pilates group. Shoulder flexibility improved significantly in the Aqua fitness group. Lower body strength improved in the control group. BMI did not change significantly in any of the groups. WHOQOL showed improvement in perception and autonomy in the Pilates group; sociability in the Aqua group. The between-subject analyses yielded a significant main effect of the experimental group F(1, 52) = 4367 (p < 0.001). Discussion: A 6-month intervention program is an appropriate tool to improve overall physical performance of healthy, inactive older adults, regardless of the type of exercise concerning Pilates or Aqua fitness, but might improve only some aspects of QOL. There is a strong need for well-designed intervention programs for the elderly.

Health awareness, motor performance and physical activity of female university students Study aim: To assess body composition, health awareness and cardiorespiratory fitness in female university students differing in volume of obligatory physical activity classes. Material and methods: 109 female students of the University of West Hungary volunteered to participate in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups according to frequency and volume of obligatory physical activity: students of recreation and health education programmes (RHE; n = 27) and of social pedagogy, tourism and catering, and teacher training programmes (STT; n = 82). Basic somatic characteristics were measured, body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance, cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated using the Rockport Fitness Walking Test and health behaviour was assessed by questionnaire method. Student's t-test for independent samples, the U Mann Whitney test or chi-square test were used in data analysis. Results: RHE students had higher values of percentage muscle mass (p<0.05) and of cardiorespiratory performance (p<0.001), they also declared significantly more frequently (p<0.001) practicing leisure physical activity as compared with the STT group. However, in both groups the symptoms of unhealthy behaviour were observed. Conclusions: Although beneficial effects of augmented physical activity on body composition, cardiorespiratory performance and attitudes towards taking up leisure-time activity was noted, attention should be paid to symptoms of unhealthy behaviour observed in female students. This support the need for including obligatory physical education classes in university curriculum and the importance of education and promotion of healthy behaviour among the students.

SummaryStudy aim: To explore how elderly people with different living conditions are characterized by their fitness, body composition, and quality of life. Material and methods: Women aged 60 years and over (n = 60; age = 76.2 ± 7.6 years) were examined in crosssectional study from a medium-sized city in western Hungary. Participants were chosen from a twilight home (n=27, age = 79.4 ± 7.7years) and clubs for retired people (n = 33, age = 73.7 ± 6.6 years). Physical fitness status was assessed by Fullerton Functional Fitness Test -Senior Fitness Test (FFFT); body composition (BC) with Inbody-720 bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy; and quality of life with WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire. Data were analysed with the use of t-test for independent samples and stepwise discriminant analysis. Results: FFFT shows significant differences in each variable: lower and upper body strength, aerobic endurance, upper and lower body flexibility, and dynamic balance. These variables were significantly higher in the clubs for retired people. The BC of twilight home residents was significantly lower in height and fat-free mass. Regarding quality of life, there were significant differences in perception, autonomy, and sociability for the favour of elderly in clubs; however, there were no differences in activities of past, present and future, or differences in attitudes towards death or intimacy. Conclusions: A sedentary and institutionalized lifestyle with little variety in daily activity and programing has a negative effect on physical fitness status, body composition, and quality of life. Self-motivation, active lifestyle, and regular and varied programs seem to have leading roles in the quality of life in elder population.

Quality of life, assertiveness, and personality dimensions in elderly men Study aim: To assess quality of life, assertiveness associated with aging personalities, and personality dimensions as related to age, highest level of qualification, and place of residence of elderly males. Material and methods: Elderly (n = 1269) men were chosen from the clubs for the elderly from settlements in one of the poorest counties in Hungary. The sample was divided into groups according to their age (60-69 years old; 70 years old and above), education (primary, secondary/higher), and place of residence (village-town). Quality of life was assessed by Quality of Life – OLD (WHOQOL-OLD), assertiveness was measured by the Rathus assertiveness schedule, and personality characteristics were measured by the Big Five Questionnaire. Results: Predominantly, relatively low levels of the quality of life, assertiveness, and personality of elderly males were noticed. In none of the scales, no significant gender- or education-related differences were found; however, men living in a town had higher (p<0.05) levels of Sociability (3.49 vs. 3.42), Emotions (3.01 vs. 2.94), Openness (3.18 vs. 3.08), and Conscientiousness (3.37 vs. 3.30) and lower levels of Self-efficacy (0.31 vs. 0.69) than those living in villages. Conclusions: Age and level of education do not seem to have a meaningful effect on elderly men’s quality of life, assertiveness, and personality characteristics; however, elderly living in villages have fewer opportunities for successful ageing.

For middle age individuals (male), it may be difficult to find motivation for suitable exercise training, which has similarly favorable characteristics for cardiovascular adaptations as other exercises performed by younger individuals. Fifty four (n = 54); (age = 41.57 ± 3.25) untrained, overweight (F% = 19.52 ± 5.6), range of (12.6-30.6), (visceral fat area (VFA) = 111.1 cm-2) healthy male (they are managers in four different Banks) were taking part in this research program. The participants took part on preliminary cardiac examination (echocardiography, GE Vivid 9 ultrasound machine. Body composition measured with type of "InBody720" (Biospace Co. Inc., Seoul, South Korea) Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (BIA). The heart rate of the participants was measured continuously during all training sessions using heart rate belts (POLAR Team System, Finland). Pulmonary gas exchange "Cardiosoft", (Milwaukee, USA were measured during a standardized treadmill test. Results: In many cases of the free indoor soccer play (FISP) recorded extremely high pulse rate, which is compared with the laboratory high pulse rate (LHPR), much higher than the recommended physiological load level HR (FISP) > 190 beat/min; HR (LHPR) = 175 beat/min ; P < 0.001. Despite the many advantages of the Free Indoor Football Play (FISP) are hiding a lot of dangerous in the terms of circulatory adaptation.