Effect of aerobic training quantity on the VO2 max of circumpubertal swimmers

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) was measured in 38 swimmers aged 10-14 years. Thirty of 38 boys participated in this study for at least 2 consecutive years. Group 1 consisted of 23 subjects (48 measures) who trained for 7 h/week while group 2 consisted of 15 subjects (27 measures) who trained for 14 h/week. In group 2, VO2 max normalized to body weight was significantly higher at 14 years of age than at 10, whereas the increase was nonsignificant during this period in group 1. The subjects of group 2 showed a large increase of VO2 max/kg body weight from the age of 13, which corresponded in this study to the age of peak height growth velocity. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant at both 13 (P less than 0.02) and 14 years of age (P less than 0.05). At 13 and 14, the most trained subjects also showed significantly higher (P less than 0.05) values of maximal oxygen pulse/kg body weight (VO2 max/kg/HR max). Maximal heart rate (HR max) was similar in the two groups between 10 and 14 years of age. Therefore, we conclude that an increase in a training program of the aerobic type induces a large increase in VO2 max from the age of peak height growth velocity. This is likely due to an increase in the stroke volume.