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Developmental aspects of physiological function relating to aerobic exercise in children

T W Rowland1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts.

Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|October 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Childhood exercise performance improves with age due to physiological maturation. While maximal aerobic power (VO2max) increases, running economy improves, especially in boys, enhancing endurance capabilities.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric exercise physiology
  • Sports science research
  • Child development and physical activity

Background:

  • Exercise performance in children is influenced by developing physiological factors.
  • Maximal aerobic power (VO2max) increases with age during childhood.
  • Understanding these changes is crucial for optimizing youth athletic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the changes in maximal aerobic power (VO2max) and running economy in children as they mature.
  • To determine the relationship between body size, body weight, and aerobic capacity during growth.
  • To explore potential factors contributing to improved running economy with age.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal assessment of maximal aerobic power (VO2max) in relation to age and body size.
  • Measurement of oxygen consumption (VO2) at standardized treadmill speeds and slopes.
  • Analysis of running economy metrics, including step rate and mechanics.

Main Results:

  • Absolute VO2max increases in both boys and girls throughout childhood.
  • Weight-normalized VO2max remains stable in boys but declines in girls with age.
  • Oxygen consumption (VO2) decreases at a given treadmill intensity, indicating improved running economy with growth.

Conclusions:

  • Maturation significantly enhances exercise performance determinants in children.
  • Improved running economy, potentially due to biomechanical adaptations, is a key factor in endurance gains.
  • Sex-specific differences in weight-normalized VO2max warrant further investigation in pediatric populations.

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