Anaerobic power and achievement of VO2 plateau in pre-pubertal boys

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). Eighteen healthy pre-pubertal (Tanner Stage, pubic hair = 1) males (age = 9.1 1.6 yrs, ht = 134.4 +/- 9.7cm, wt = 33.3 +/- 9.2kg, VO2max = 40.0 +/- 6.7 ml x 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. Only 33% 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= 6.3 +/- 0.8W/kg and MP = 5.2 +/- 0.7W/kg; NO PLAT: PP= 6.3 +/- 1.2 W/kg and MP = 5.2 +/- 1.3 W/kg). We conclude that anaerobic power is not a factor limiting the achievement of a plateau in VO2 of pre-pubertal boys who perform maximal aerobic power tests.