Abstract

Longitudinal studies inquiring into the features exhibited by freshers enrolled at higher schools in different years are far from numerous. Thus, it is especially urgent to examine the changes in physical development, preparedness, and functional capacity demonstrated by freshers over a longer period of time. We hypothesize that changes in Lithuania’s socioeconomic circumstances and also in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) freshers’ moral and physical values invite corresponding changes in the indices of physical development, preparedness, and functional capacity shown by students. Our aim is to inquire into the physical development, physical preparedness, and functional capacity of VGTU freshers enrolled in different years (in 2002 and 2008) as well as to carry out the comparative analysis of findings. Research subject: physical development, physical preparedness, and functional capacity of VGTU freshers. Research involved VGTU freshers selected by random, mean age 19-20 years, enrolled in 2002, n = 117 (study 1), and freshers enrolled in 2008, n = 122 (study 2). Lung ventilation indices exhibited by VGTU freshers show a marked tendency towards decrease. This process may be stopped by students’ physical activation. In spite of decreasing aerobic capacity the indices reflecting freshers’ speed have increased over 6 years. Comparison of our study data with the findings of research carried out several decades ago revealed, to a definite degree, tendencies towards the deterioration of physical condition formation in Lithuanian youth. Verf.-Referat