A new approach to assessing maximal aerobic power in children: the Odense School Child Study

In two experiments maximal aerobic power \((\dot V_{O_{2 max} } )\) calculated from maximal mechanical power (W _max) was evaluated in 39 children aged 9–11 years. A maximal multi-stage cycle ergometer exercise test was used with an increase in work load every 3 min. In the first experiment oxygen consumption was measured in 18 children during each of the prescribed work loads and a correction factor was calculated to estimate \(\dot V_{O_{2 max} }\) using the equation \(\dot V_{O_{2 max} } = 12 \cdot W_{\max } + 5 \cdot weight\) . An appropriate increase in work rate based on height was determined for boys (0.16 W · cm⁻¹) and girls (0.15 W · cm⁻¹) respectively. In the second experiment 21 children performed a maximal cycle ergometer exercise test twice. In addition to the procedure in the first experiment a similar exercise test was performed, but without measurement of oxygen uptake. Calculated \(\dot V_{O_{2 max} }\) correlated significantly (p<0.01) with those values measured in both boys (r=0.90) and girls (r=0.95) respectively, and the standard error of estimation for \(\dot V_{O_{2 max} }\) (calculated) on \(\dot V_{O_{2 max} }\) (measured) wass less than 3.2%. Two expressions of relative work load (% \(\dot V_{O_{2 max} }\) and %W _max) were established and found to be closely correlated. The relative work load in % \(\dot V_{O_{2 max} }\) could be predicted from the relative work load in % W _max with an average standard error of 3.8%. The data demonstrate that calculated \(\dot V_{O_{2 max} }\) based on a maximal multi-stage exercise test provides an accurate and valid estimate of \(\dot V_{O_{2 max} }\)