Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 1993; 14(8): 444-448
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1021208
Training and Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Bioenergetic Characteristics in Prepubertal Swimmers

Comparison with Active and Non-Active BoysG. Falgairette1 , P. Duche2 , M. Bedu3 , N. Fellmann3 , J. Coudert3
  • 1Laboratoire de Biomécanique et de Biologie de l'exercice, Observatoire du Développement de l'Enfant, UFRSTAPS,
    Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, 65 Av Valrose, 06100 Nice
  • 2Laboratoire de Performance Motrice, UFR STAPS Université Blaise Pascal, BP 104, 63170 Aubière
  • 3Laboratoire de Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Clermont-Ferrand I, BP 38, 63001, Clermont-Ferrand
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The effects of physical activity (PA) on bioenergetic characteristics were studied in 53 prepubertal boys. Maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2max; direct method), maximal anaerobic power (Pmax, force-velocity test), and mean power in 30s (P30s, Wingate test) were compared (mean±SD) in three groups of boys of the same age (11 years): swimmers (Sw, n=26, PA=8±3hrs/week), active boys (A, n=16, PA=7±2hrs/week) and non-active boys (C, n=11, PA=3±2hrs/week). No significant difference appeared between groups for V̇O2max (Sw, 50.7±5.4; A, 50.8±6.0; C, 49.4±7.0; ml·min-1·kg-1), Pmax (Sw, 8.1±1.4; A, 8.4±1.4; C, 8.1±1.4; W·kg-1) and P30s (SW, 5.8±1.0 A, 6.3±1.7; C,5.0± 1.1; W· kg-1). Significant relationships (p<0.01) existed between Pmax, P30s (W·kg-1) and V̇O2max (ml·min-1·kg-1): r =0.37 and r=0.40, respectively. This indicates that there is neither aerobic nor anaerobic specialization during prepubertal development, and that regular sporting activity induces no great changes in the bioenergetic characteristics of prepubertal boys.

Key words

Salivary testosterone - V̇O2max - anaerobic power - blood lactate - physical activity

      >