Treadmill and cycle ergometry testing in 5- to 6-year-old children
L M LeMura1, S P von Duvillard, S L Cohen
1The Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
Maximal cardiorespiratory responses in children aged 5-6 showed no gender differences. Both treadmill and cycle ergometer tests effectively measured maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in this age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric exercise physiology
- Cardiorespiratory fitness assessment
Background:
- Assessing maximal cardiorespiratory responses in young children is crucial for understanding their physical capabilities.
- Treadmill (TM) and cycle ergometer (CE) are common tools, but their efficacy in 5- to 6-year-olds requires specific investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine maximal cardiorespiratory responses in 5- to 6-year-old children using both TM and CE.
- To compare VO2max attainment criteria between TM and CE in this age group.
- To examine potential gender differences in cardiorespiratory responses.
Main Methods:
- 48 children (24 girls, 24 boys) aged 5-6 underwent maximal exercise testing on a TM and a CE, with a one-week interval.
- Standardized, progressive, continuous protocols were used to measure VO2max, heart rate, and respiratory exchange ratio.
- A 2x2 ANOVA with Bonferroni adjustment analyzed gender and exercise mode effects.
Main Results:
- No significant gender differences were observed in cardiorespiratory variables.
- Children achieved significantly higher relative and absolute VO2max, and higher heart rate on the TM compared to the CE.
- Higher respiratory exchange ratio was observed on the CE, with both modes effectively eliciting maximal effort criteria.
Conclusions:
- Treadmill and cycle ergometer tests are both effective for maximal cardiorespiratory assessment in 5- to 6-year-old children.
- There are no gender-based differences in maximal exercise testing outcomes in this pediatric population.
- Children consistently met criteria for maximal effort on both testing modalities.
Abstract:
The primary purpose of this study was to determine the maximal cardiorespiratory responses of 48, 5- to 6-year-old children (24 girls and 24 boys), who were tested on a treadmill (TM) and an electronically braked cycle ergometer (CE). We also examined the percentage of boys and girls who were able to achieve the criteria for reaching maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) on each testing mode. After an orientation period, each child was tested twice (once on the TM and once on the CE), with an interval of 1 week between tests. VO2max was measured during progressive, all out, continuous TM and CE tests using standardized procedures. A 2 x 2 analysis of variance test (genderxexercise mode) with Bonferroni adjustment revealed the following: (1) there were no gender differences in any of the measured dependent variables, (2) the children produced a significantly higher relative VO2max (ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) and a higher absolute VO2max (l x min(-1)) on the TM than on the CE (P < 0.001), (3) the children produced a higher heart rate on the TM than on the CE (P < 0.001), (4) the CE generated significantly higher values for respiratory exchange ratio (P < 0.001), (5) the criteria necessary to establish a maximal exercise effort were achieved on both the TM and the CE, and (6) all of the children reached two of the criteria associated with a maximal effort, while only 46% of the children reached three criterion measures. There were no significant differences in the attainment of criterion measures between the TM and the CE. The results of this study indicate a lack of gender differences in maximal exercise testing in 5- to 6-year-old children, and that both the CE and the TM are effective modes of maximal cardiorespiratory testing in this age group.
