Abstract des Autors

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) mates (age = 9.1+/-1.6 yrs, hat = 134.4+/-9.7 cm, wt = 33.3+/-9.2 kg, VO2max = 40.0+/-6.7 ml/kg/min) 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+/-0.8 W/kg and MP = 5.2+/-0.7 W/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. Verf.-Referat