Linear features of Polish population in the years 1962-1992. Tendencies in changes

Cross-sectional material gathered in the years 1962-1992 in a group of 7001 men and 3852 women served as a basis for some measurements of body height (V-B), trunk length (sst-sy), lower limb length (sy-B), upper limb length (a-da), and length of the head together with the neck (V-sst). On the basis of results of mean values obtained from an annual series of examinations--altogether 31 observations were carried out--some statistical methods of analysis were applied with reference to each feature, among others the method of a simple moving average and linear regression of smoothed trend curves. The obtained results allow an evaluation of the dimorphic differences in the size of changes of particular linear features and a determination of the direction of these changes. A greater dynamism of the growth of body height and trunk length as well as tendencies of decreasing the length of lower limbs were observed in men, whereas the dynamism of changes with reference to the length of the head together with the neck was smaller than in women. The pace of changes of the analyzed linear features indicates clearly the process of deepening the differences in the proportions of body build.