Abstract

Endurance, strength and speed capacity were investigated among prepubescent male weight lifters (WL), endurance runners (ER) and sprint runners (ER). Twelve boys belonged to an athletic group (AG) and their performance capacity was compared to normally active control (C) boys (n=9). Biological age was significantly greater in AG (11.3 +/- 0.9 years) than in C (10.2 +/- 1.4 years) but in chronological age there was no difference between the groups. Maximal oxygen uptake was significantly higher in AG (62.3 +/- 3.1 ml/kg/min) than in C (55.4 +/- 7.7 ml/kg/min). The endurance runners had the highest value (66.5 +/-2.9 ml/kg/min). In anaerobic characteristics there were no significant differences. The rise of centre of gravity (0.26 +/- 0.03 m) of AG in a test for the best drop jump was clearly higher than that (0.22 +/- 0.03 m) of C. The weight lifters and sprint runners were the best in the test for force production. AG had significantly shorter choice reaction time (261 +/- 39 ms) than C (344 +/- 91 ms). Testosterone correlated with jump performances, biological age and chronological age. Growth hormone correlated significantly only with biological age and testosterone. In conclusion, endurance capacity (aerobic) and strength capacity were greater in the athletic group than in the control group. Verf.-Referat