Maximal oxygen uptake in French children in relation to age, sex and physical training
Flandrois, R.; Grandmontagne, M.; Mayet, M.H.; Favier, R.; Frutoso, J.
Journal de Physiologie 78(2): 186-194
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-7948 PMID: 7131332 Document Number: 183824
Maximal O2 uptake (.ovrhdot.VO2 max) was determined in 451 boys and girls ranging from 11 to 16 yr and divided into 2 groups. Group I (n = 287) was considered as an untrained reference group. Group II (n = 164) was regularly trained. This group contained school-children affiliated to a swimming club who trained 5-10 h/wk. Body growth is nearly the same in 2 groups until puberty but, at 15-16 yr in the boys, and 14-16 yr in the girls, height and weight are higher in group II. In group I, between 11 and 16 yr, .ovrhdot.VO2 max increase by 50% in boys vs. only 25% in girls. For the same age, .ovrhdot.VO2 max remained smaller in girls, even before puberty, although there is no difference in body growth. At 11 yr, specific .ovrhdot.VO2 max averaged 47 ml .cntdot. min-1 .cntdot. kg-1 in boys and 40 ml .cntdot. min-1 .cntdot. kg-1 in girls, and decreased with age only in sedentary girls (down to 37 ml .cntdot. min-1 .cntdot. kg-1). .ovrhdot.VO2 max in the average french schoolchild is similar to that of subjects from different countries with a similar cultural and socio-economic level. In group II, .ovrhdot.VO2 max is similar in both sexes at 11-12 yr old; up to 16 yr of age it increases more rapidly in boys (+ 100%) than in girls (+ 50%). Specific .ovrhdot.VO2 max ranges between 57 and 62 ml .cntdot. min-1 .cntdot. kg-1 in boy swimmers and averages 53 ml .cntdot. min-1 .cntdot. kg-1 in girls swimmers. The influence of physical training on aptitude development is discussed and compared to previously published data.