30 KINESIOLOGIA SLOVENICA 3 (1997) 1 : 30- 34 
CHANGES IN MOTOR FITNESS IN THE 
POLISH SCHOOL POPULATION (1965-95) 
Joachim Raaek* 
SPREMEMBE MOTORIČNIH SPOSOBNOSTI 
ŠOWOČE MLADINE V POLJSKI (1965-95) 
Abstract 
The general tendencies of changes in Slesian school 
children's motor fitness were estimated on the 
grou nd of resu lts of compa rative resea rch performed 
in 1965, 1975, 1985 and 1995. Evaluation of fitness 
comprised the same scope of research. The com-
parative analysis included data of over 10000 school 
children aged 8-18. The resu lts are unique due to 
the 30 year observation period , the number of chil-
dren tested and the range of information obtained. 
The i ncreasing secular tendencies of so matic devel -
opment were established, wh ile the level of motor 
fitness decreased. Negative tendencies in the devel-
opment of motor fitness pertained mostly to condi-
tional abilities and were more significant amonggirls. 
Progression of coordinational motor abi lities was not 
significa nt. 
Negative trend s in the development of motor fitness 
in population of school children are nowadays high-
ly alarm ing. The observed regression has many dif-
ferent ca uses, w ith the main one being unquestion-
ably the continuous decrease in physical activity of 
children. The resu lts of the presented research i ndi-
cate a necessity far undertaking fi rm actions to en-
su re the desirable biologica l and psychica l state of 
present children's generation . 
Keywords: motor fitness, school children, tendencies, 
comparison, Silesia, Poland 
• Departrnent of Theory of Human Motor Behaviour, Acadern y of 
Physicel Education, Katowice, Poland 
Izvleček 
Splošne znač ilnosSi sprememb v motoričnih sposob-
nostih šolarjev v Slez iji so bile ocenjene na osnovi 
podatkov primerjalnih študij izvedenih v letih 1965, 
1975, 1985 in 1995 . Podatki so bili zbrani na več kot 
desettisoč učen c ih med osmim in osemnajstim 
letom starosti. Ti podatki so zaradi tridesetletnega 
opazova lnega obdobja, števila izmerjenih otrok in 
pestrosti izbranih informacij ed instveni . Ugotovljen 
je bil naraščajoči seku larni trend v somatskem razvo-
ju , medtem, ko se je raven moto ri č nih zmožnosti 
zniža la. Negativn i trendi se nanašajo predvsem na 
vzdrž ljivost in so bolj izraziti pri dekletih . Napredek 
pri koordinacij i ni bil statistično značilen. 
Negativni trendi v razvoju motoričnih sposobnosti v 
šolski populaciji danes, so zelo zaskrbljujoč i . Ugo-
tovljeno nazadovanje ima več vzrokov, glavni pa je 
brez dvoma stalno zmanjševanje telesne aktivnosti 
otrok. Dobljeni rezultat i kažejo na potrebo po resnih 
ukrepih, da bi zagotovili željeno biološko in psihi čno 
stanje današnje otroške generacije. 
Ključne besede: motoričn_e zmožnosti, učenci, 
učenke, trendi, primerjava, Slezija, Poljska 
Joachim Raczek 
CHANGES IN MOTOR FITNESS IN THE POLISH SCHOOL POPULATION (1965-95) 31 
lntroduction 
The changes occurring in the successive young gen-
erations, observed for many decades, indicate a ne-
cessity of evaluation and analys is of this phe-
nomenon . Studying the tendencies of change, es-
tab lishing thei r propensity, character and ca uses 
plays a significant role in an objective evaluation of 
the biological and socia l va lue of the popu lation. It 
also crea tes the proper bas is fo r the control of the 
physica l development of young generation. 
The main goal of this research project is the analysis 
of the trends of motor development changes based 
on results of comparative fitness studies of the 
Silesian school population from 1965, 1975, 1985 
and 1995. 
Methods 
The problems under consideration were studied by 
means of comparative evaluation of motor fitn ess of 
the school child ren popu lation in Upper Si lesia per-
formed in 1965 , 1975, 1985 and 1995. The diag-
nostic proced ures remained unchanged during the 
whole course of research. It incl uded measurement 
of basic somatic features. Comparative analysis com-
prised the data of 10015 pupils aged from 8 through 
18 (5000 gi rls and 5015 boys). Endurance and coor-
dinationa l motor abil ities were eva luated by means 
of fitness tests. Add it iona lly basic somatic changes 
were registe red . To determin e the direction and 
range of changes the results of the 1995, 1985 and 
1975 decades were normal ized to those obtai ned 
by the 1965 school popu lation. The level of motor 
fitness has been evaluated in relation to body height 
and expressed in the fo rm of a percentile indicator. 
Such a presentation enabled to emphasize the de-
pendences or discrepancies between somatic and 
motor development. 
Results 
Unprecedented range and rap idity of industrial and 
urban changes in Upper Silesia, as well as its ecolog-
ical consequences imposed a signifi cant influence 
on the biologica l state and hea lth of the young pop-
ulation in th is region . Closer analysis of considered 
problems does not fill one with optimism. The resul ts 
obtained (Fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4) reveal the positive trend 
in the intergeneration secula r changes, while the de-
ve lopment of motor fitness exhibits a generally neg-
ative trend: thus the lowest level of motor fitn ess was 
observed in 1995. 
The regresson is most evident when relative results of 
motor fitness are considered. The regressive ten-
dency concerns the whole population, yet fema les 
and children with a low level of motor fitness are 
more affected. The regression is most pronounced 
[%] 
115 
110 
105 
~ - ...... ~ ........ . "- .. r- ~ 4j ..... -----:::-_:-_;- • 
_,r~-~"' ~s-... - --•-•- -...- --: 100-I-~:,,___.,'--:..___ ...::..,.,..:..........,_ _ _ _ ___ _ 
,'o .., .. 1965 
95 
90 
85 
(%] 
115 
90 
85 
"' ., ......, ' 
"' o, - (1,, 
0 ..... t 'o,- ... o ... (> 
'--o~---- ,, '-'!!...· ~ .. o, ,:: 
- ~ 1975 -c> 19'15 -v 1995 motor ntneu absolute 11alues 
__.._ 1975 - - 1965 -o 1995 motor fitness relative values 
_,. 1975 -=• 1985 - 1995 body helghl 
o 
d'd' 
.. 
\ ................ . 
b • ....... 
""o - -o- - o 
80 +--~~-------~~-~A--=.g__;.•IY:_••_,;"i 
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 
Fig. 1 Profiles o( motor ntness and body height o( the school pop-
ufation in 1975, 1985 and 1995 in relationto the 1965 popula-
tion (100 %) 
in rela t ive fitness ab ili t ies: the intergeneration dif-
ferences are noti ceable and reach up to 20%. 
Successive research establi shed a rema rkable in -
crease of discrepancies between somatic develop-
ment advancement and motor f itness leve l. 
Progressive tendencies in the deve lopment of coor-
dination were not observed. This phenomenon per-
tains to both sexes but more to females . It affects fi rst 
of all the population of youth aged more than 12-1 4. 
A remarkable phenomenon is that the moment of 
rapid drop of motor fi tn ess shifts towards younger 
and younger age groups. 
The tirne changeabili ty of pa rticular motor abilities 
is differentiated : it is lower in respect to speed and 
agility and very noticeable in respect to endurance 
and strength (Fig. 2). The deepest regression perta ins 
then to those abil iti es wh ich in human motori cs play 
a rud imental ro le and one on wh ich to a great extent 
hea lth is dependent. 
Changes in coordinational abili ties do not revea l sig-
ni fi cant regressive or progressive trends (Fig. 3). As 
the expectations accordi ng to this sphere of human 
motorics are ever greater, one ca nnot eva luate un i-
vocal ly such t rends as pos itive. Negative develop-
mental t rends of motor fitness pertain to the whole 
school popu lation, it is however more clea r in the 
group of pupi ls w ith low fitness and is age dependent 
(Fig. 4). 
32 Joachim Raczek CHANGES IN MOTOR FITNESS IN THE POLISH SCHOOL POPULATION (1965-95) 
85 
80 
Age(y) 
75 -l-----.--,.-----.-- ,-----.--,----,---,----,---,----,"--"-i 
105 
[%] 
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 
Agility 
100+---a~..--"L,,:--~""-o;---.d-:-~~lb;;;,a'= 
95 
90 
85 
80 
75 -1--~-,.-----.--,-----.--,----,---,----,---,---A,--ge~[...,YI 
95 
90 
85 
80 
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 
Endurance 
75-1--~-,.-----.--,-----.--,-----.--,----,--- ,---Arge-'["-y] 
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 
85 
80 
75+----.--,-----.--,----,---,----,---,----,---,--~A~ge_[Y--,l 
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 
105 
(%) 
100+----Q-o-,~-~~-.!,c------- ---:'-1~965~ 
~~~,o 
95 
90 
85 
80 
75 +-----.--,----,---,----,---,----,---,----,--- ,---Arge_,(.:..;Yl 
105 
(%] 
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 
1965 
100+----.-.::- ----- =---------
~ 1 -:. ~ ,-0 ~.. Cl ,o 
'-, / ~ A, ' .,o- ,,. 
t,,. \.n. o o-
~ C"" • .. o 
95 
90 
85 '-... t,,.~ 
80 
76+-----.---,------,--,.-----.--,.-----.--,-----.--,---A.,c-g-•[...,Yl 
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 
105 
(% ) 
Strength 105 
1965 
100 -1------------------
~ 1965 
100+------------- -----
- 1995 
Age [y] 
75 +----.--,----,---,----,---,------.---,------,------,,----.------, 76 -f----,--,-----.--,-----.--,-----.--,-----.--,---Ai'-ge-'['-'ty] 
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 
Fig. 2. Profiles of relative efficiencyin selected motorabi/ities of the schoo/ population in 1975, 1985 and 1995 in relation to? 965 pop-
ufation (100 %) 
Discussion 
The results of the research presented indicate that 
negative intergeneration changes of the motor sys-
tem in the period of growth become even more sig-
nificant. The regression in motorfitness and growing 
discrepancies between somatic and motor develop-
mentare alarming both for biological and social rea-
sons (1,2,3). It reduces the adaptive abilities of the 
organism, necessary for norma l growth, hea lth and 
qua lity of life (4) . 
The somatic and motor development d iscrepancies 
are influenced by manyfactors (2) . The motor fitness 
Joachim Raczek 
CHANGES IN MOTOR FITNESS IN THE POLISH SCHOOL POPULATION (1965-95) 33 
Locomotive bo lonce 
[%] 
110 
100 
90 
80 
70 
7 8 9 101112131415161718 
11 O[%] 
100 
90 
80 
70 
cfcf 
Age [y] 
60 +---,---.-~-.----,----.----.-~-.---.,........--,-..:...-.cc.; 
7 8 9 101112131415161718 
Speed of reaction 
[%] 
110 
nn ~ + + 110 cfcf 
100 -= ~,----...,., ~ 100 
90 90 
80 80 
70 70 
60 
Age [y] 
60 
Age [y] 
7 8 9 1 O 11 12131415161718 7 8 9 101112131415161718 
Space orientation 
(%] <? <? [%) 110 110 cfcf 
100 100 
90 90 
80 80 
70 70 
60 
Age (y] 
60 
Age [y] 
7 8 9 101112131415161718 7 8 9 101112131415161718 
Kinesthetic differentiation 
11 O(%] <? <? 110 [%] dcf 
100 100 
90 90 
80 80 
70 70 
60 
Age [y] 
60 
Age (y) 
7 8 9 101112131415161718 7 8 9 101112131415161718 
Fig. 3. Profi/es offitness in se/ected coordinational abilities o( the school population in 1995 in relation to the 1985 population (100 %) 
regression is a consequence of the changes in li fe -
style, interests and manners of the you ng generation, 
but is also a result of increasing devastation of the 
natura! environment (4). 
However, the decreasing of motor fitness of adoles-
cents is influenced mainly by the reduction of phys-
ica l activity of youth (5). lrrational urbanization and 
degradation of the natura l envi ronment evokes a 
large-scale hypokinesia in the Siles ian school popu-
lation. Over 85% of the children under research do 
not take part in any sport-recreational acti vit ies be-
sides obl igatory lessons of phys ica l ed ucation. 
Present-day youth adapts pass ively to such a level of 
effort load, that it meets permanently in everyday 
 
34 Joachim Raczek CHANGES IN MOTOR FITNESS IN THE POLISH SCHOOL POPULATION (1965-95) 
1%) 
110 
105 
95 
90 
85 
80 
['41 
110 
105 
95 
90 
85 
80 
- °'"' 1975 
-.:,, 1985 absolute values 
- 1995 
----W-- IQ75 
• - 1;35 
-o- , ... 
relattve 
values 
0 „ 
...., ' 
,. ~- -• ... '(.o 
- o• •~ 
cfcf 
·-:: 
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 
Fig 4. Comparison of profiles of different leve/ o{ motor fitness 
oEtained in 1975, 1985 and 1995 in relation to the 1965 popu-
lation (100 %) 
practice, using only very rarely its full 11adaptive po-
tential" and capabilities result ing from higher ad-
vancement of somatic development. There exists a 
great danger of 11biological degradation" of the 
whole modem population. The biological nature of 
a growing organism does not tolerate motor inactiv-
ity with no negative results (2,5) . Therefore, the 
problem of increasing the movement activity of 
youth becomes especially important. It is a sheer ne-
cessity of the normal development of youth . 
In this respect the school plays an inglorious role. lts 
material insufficiency, overloaded programs, high 
demands and rigours very effect ively expulse the 
necessary movement activeness from everyday life 
of a contemporary pupil. 
One cannot ignore, also, the weakness of the school 
physical culture system in preventing and counter-
acting the negative developmental trends in youth 
motor development. It pertains both to the program 
and methodical concepts and creat ing an optimal 
organizational-material basis for the development. 
Conclusions and proposals 
1. Negative trends observed in motor fitness devel-
opment of present-day school population indi-
cate the remarkable functional handicap and vi-
t iat ion of natu ral motricity of young generations, 
o r at least the premature onset of involution. 
Such unfavourable changes influence the bio-
logical condit ion of youth. 
2. M echanisms and conditions of the regression of 
fi tness, as well as developmental disharmonies of 
the young generation are surely influenced by 
many factors. There are no doubts, however, that 
the main reason is the increased hypokinesia of 
youth and grow ing devastation of the naturalen-
vironment. 
3. An awareness of the facts presented, demands 
the necessity for radical changes of the strategy 
of realisation of the general concept of education 
and health protection of youth in the present-day 
life. It has to take into account to a greater extent 
the role of physica l activity asa necessary ele-
ment for ensuring the optimal biological and psy-
chical state, so bu ilding up the health of the 
young generation. 
4 . The opt imization action to be taken should com-
prise some closely connected aspects, namely: 
using effective methods and means of stimu-
lating the growing organism, 
- intensifying the actions motivat ing and shap-
ing a healthy l ife style with much physical ac-
tivity, 
- join ing the means regu lating movement man-
ners of youth w ith the context of real social-
cultural conditions, 
- creating opt imum organizational and materi-
al conditions for realisation of the goals a uni-
versal physical culture. 
The situation observed and the trends of genera-
tional changes unveil the necessity of cont inuation 
of the research, w hich should be aimed not only at 
recognition of the phenomena and its manifold 
grounds, but above all at making a basis for optimis-
ing actions, at modell ing the proper relation man-
environment. This is especial ly actual topic due to 
intensive technical-civilization transformations. The 
results of the research should make a basis for social 
policies aimed at protection and building up the 
health ofyouth. 
References 
1. Raczek J, Tendencje przemian w rozwoju sprawnoceci mo-
torycznej populacji szkolnej. In: Raczek J, ed. Moto-
rycznocec dzieci i m3odziely. Katowice, 1986, 257-264. 
2. Raczek J, Probleme und Methoden der Motorikforschung im 
Kindes- und Jugendalter. Leistungssport 1987; 3 :45-48. 
3. Raczek J, Aktywnocec ruchowa, sprawnocec motoryczna a 
zdrow ie dzieci i m3odziely. Roczniki Naukowe 1989; 17: 
9-44. 
4. Raczek J, Children's and adolescent's health in considera-
t ion of the changes and general tendencies in motor fitness. 
In: Physical activity in the lifecycle. 1 st ed. Wingate Institute, 
1993, 94-102. 
5. RaczekJ, H ypokinesia and its influence asa problem of con-
temporary civilization. In: nauki o kulturze fizycznej wobec 
wyzwafi wsp63czesnej cywilizacj i. AWF Katowice, 1995, 29-
55 .