RELATIONSHIP OF ANAEROBIC TO AEROBIC FUNCTION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS1528

Abstract

There has been limited investigation of the physiological mechanisms by which children accommodate physical activity. Although more attention has been paid to aerobic capacity in this age group, there is little understanding of the relationship of anaerobic function with aerobic capacity. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the relationship between standard measures of anaerobic and aerobic function in children (9 boys and 13 girls) of mean ages 9.7 and 8.6 years, respectively and adolescents (7 boys and 7 girls) of mean ages 14.1 and 16.1 years, respectively. Each subject underwent anaerobic testing via the Wingate Anaerobic Test and peak aerobic capacity assessment using a treadmill protocol. Ventilatory and metabolic functions were measured by standard open-circuit spirometry techniques. Peak anaerobic power (PAP) was 42% greater in the pre-pubescent boys than in the girls, while the adolescent boys had 64% higher values than the girls of that age group(p<.05). Overall, the adolescents had a PAP 66% higher than the children(p<.05). The relationship of PAP with oxygen uptake (L/min) was significant(p<.05) for both boys (.95) and girls (.94) in the pre-pubescent group. However, no significant relationship was found in the adolescents. It was concluded that a stronger and more consistent relationship exists between measures of anaerobic and aerobic function in children than in the adolescents. Further pursuit of this finding may explain some of the differences in response to exercise observed in children when compared to adolescents or adults.