ANAEROBIC POWER AND ACHIEVEMENT OF VO2 PLATEAU IN PRE-PUBERTAL BOYS966

Abstract

A low anaerobic power has been proposed as a factor that may be limiting the achievement of a plateau in ˙VO2 of children who perform maximal aerobic power tests. This study examined the frequency of plateau achievement in pre-pubertal children and compared ˙VO2max, peak(PP) and mean (MP) anaerobic power in subjects who either achieved a plateau(PLAT) or did not (NO PLAT). Twenty healthy pre-pubertal (Tanner Stage, pubic hair=1) males (age=9.0 ± 1.6 yrs, ht=133.9 ± 9.9 cm, wt=33.3± 9.3 kg, ˙VO2max=40.1 ± 7.2 ml· kg-1·min-1) were tested. All subjects completed a 30 sec Wingate Anaerobic Test and a McMaster aerobic protocol to volitional fatigue on a cycle ergometer. ˙VO2 was measured breath by breath using a Medgraphics metabolic system. The criterion for plateau was an increase in˙VO2 in the last stage of exercise ≤ 2 S.D. of the mean increase of submaximal stages. Only 40% of the subjects met the PLAT criterion. No differences were found for PP or MP between those who achieved a plateau and those who did not (PLAT:PP=6.4 ± 0.8 W/kg and MP=5.2 ± 0.9 W/kg; NO PLAT: PP=6.2 ± 1.2 W/kg and MP=5.2 ± 1.3 W/kg. We conclude that anaerobic power may not be a factor limiting the achievement of a plateau in ˙VO2 of pre-pubertal boys who perform maximal aerobic power tests.