DIFFERENCES AND CHANGES IN VO2 AMONG YOUNG RUNNERS 10 TO 18 YEARS OF AGE

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 10  (3) , 200-203
Abstract
Young males [20] all active in middle-distance running, were studied to gather longitudinal data regarding .ovrhdot.VO2 [O2 uptake] during treadmill running. .ovrhdot.VO2 submax (measured during the last 2 min of a 6 min run at 202 m/min) and .ovrhdot.VO2 max values (measured during a 5-8 min increasing-speed run to exhaustion) were collected approximately every 6 mo. for 6 yr. Different groups, starting at age 10, 12 and 13 yr were followed for periods of 2-5 yr continuously. In all longitudinal comparisons, .ovrhdot.VO2 max (ml/min) changes paralleled changes in body wt. Consequently, .ovrhdot.VO2 max (ml/kg .cntdot. min-1) did not show a significant change. In every group .ovrhdot.VO2 submax (ml/kg .cntdot. min-1) dropped significantly over time. All data were pooled by 1 yr age groups, providing cross-sectional data for active boys 10-18 yr of age. .ovrhdot.VO2 max ranged from 1933 ml/min for 10 yr olds to 4082 for 18 yr olds. Concurrent changes in weight resulted in no significant differences in .ovrhdot.VO2 max (ml/kg .cntdot. min-1) from the overall mean of 61.5. .ovrhdot.VO2 submax (ml/kg .cntdot. min-1) was highest among 10 yr olds (53.3) and lowest among 18 yr olds (42.5). Based on these longitudinal and cross-sectional findings and significant improvements in times for 1 and 2 mile races, .ovrhdot.VO2 max (ml/min) apparently increases no faster than does body wt among moderately active growing boys and both age and training contribute to a change in .ovrhdot.VO2 submax; a factor which accounts greatly for improvements in middle-distance race performance.

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