[Maximal oxygen uptake in French children in relation to age, sex and physical training].
1. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) was determined in 451 boys and girls ranging from 11 to 16 years and divided in two groups. Group I (n = 287) was considered as an untrained reference group. Group II (n = 174) was regularly trained. This group concerned school-children affiliated to a swimming club and trained 5 to 10 h per week. Body growth is nearly the same in the two groups until puberty but, at 15-16 years in the boys, 14-16 years in the girls, height and weight are higher in group II. 2. In group I, between 11 and 16 years, VO2 max increases by 50% in boys against only 25% in girls. For the same age, VO2 max remained smaller in girls, even before puberty although there is no difference in body growth. At 11 years, specific VO2 max averaged 47 ml . min-1 . kg-1 in boys and 40 ml . min-1 . kg-1 in girls and decreases with age only in sedentary girls down to 37 ml . min-1 . kg-1. From the results presented here it appears that maximal oxygen uptake in the average french schoolchild is similar to those of subjects from different countries with same cultural and socio-economical level. 3. In group II, VO2 max is similar in both sexes at 11-12 years old, and then up to 16 years of age increases more rapidly in boys (+100%) than in girls (+50%). Specific VO2 max ranges between 57 and 62 m. min-1 . kg-1 in boy swimmers and averages 53 ml . min-1 . kg-1 in girl swimmers. The influence of physical training on aptitude development is discussed and compared with previously published data.
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012737:Sex Factors
La consommation maximale d'oxygène chez le jeune français, sa variation avec l'âge, le sexe et l'entraînement.