Effect of leg length on bench stepping efficiency in children

The effect of leg length on relative oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), and minute ventilation (VE) during stepping was examined in 30 boys ages 8-12 years. Stepping height was varied to correspond to 30, 40, and 50% of the individual's leg length while maintaining a constant exercise load. There were no significant differences in VO2, HR, and VE among the three stepping conditions. The effects of knee joint angle, leg length, and the ratio of leg length to body weight were further assessed by comparing the top third and bottom third of the sample when classified on these anthropometric measurements. No significant differences were found between the high and low groups when classified according to knee joint angle; however, ventilation was higher for the longer legged subjects and for subjects having a low leg length to body weight index. It was concluded that leg length does not influence the physiologic responses of young boys to moderate stepping exercise.