Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2002; 23(6): 439-444
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-33742
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effects of High Intensity Intermittent Training on Peak V˙O2 in Prepubertal Children

G.  Baquet1 , S.  Berthoin1 , G.  Dupont1 , N.  Blondel1, 2 , C.  Fabre1 , E.  van Praagh3
  • 1Laboratoire d’Etudes de la Motricité Humaine, Faculté des Sciences du Sport et de l’Education Physique, Université de Lille 2, France
  • 2Laboratoire d’Analyse Multidisciplinaire des Pratiques Sportives, UFR STAPS, Université de l’Artois, France
  • 3UFR STAPS, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: November 15, 2001

Publication Date:
05 September 2002 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

This study was designed to examine peak V˙O2 responses of prepubescent children following a 7-week aerobic training. Twenty-three boys and thirty girls (9.7 ± 0.8 years) were divided into a high intensity experimental group (HIEG: 20 girls and 13 boys) and a control group (CG: 10 girls and 10 boys). A graded 20-m shuttle run with measurement of gas exchange values was performed prior to and after the 7-week training program. The test consisted of a 3-min run at 7 km × h-1 to determine energy cost of running, immediately followed by a 20-meter shuttle run test. HIEG had two 30 min-sessions of short intermittent aerobic training per week at velocities ranging from 100 up to 130 % of the maximal aerobic speed. For HIEG, absolute peak V˙O2 (9.1 %) and relative to body mass peak V˙O2 (8.2 %) increased significantly (p < 0.001); it was unchanged in the CG. Similarly, maximal shuttle run improved significantly in HIEG (5.1 %, p < 0.001). In contrast, there was no significant change for CG. For both groups energy cost of running remained unchanged. These findings show that prepubescent children could significantly increase their peak V˙O2 and maximal shuttle velocity with high intensity short intermittent aerobic exercises.

Key words

Aerobic - field tests - fitness - gender - interval training - school

References

  • 1 Ahmaidi S, Collomp K, Caillaud C, Préfaut C. Maximal and functional aerobic capacity as assessed by two graduated field methods in comparison to laboratory exercise testing in moderately trained subjects.  Int J Sports Med. 1992;  13 243-248
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 American College of Sports Medicine . The recommended quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness in healthy adults.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;  22 265-274
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Armstrong N, Welsman J R. Young People and Physical Activity. Oxford: University Press 1990: 122-125
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 4 Armstrong N, Kirby B J, Welsman J R, McManus A. Submaximal exercise in prepubertal children. In: Armstrong N, Kirby BJ, Welsman JR (eds) Children and Exercise XIX: Promoting Health and Well-Being. London; E & Spon 1997: 221-227
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 5 Bailey R C, Olson J, Pepper S L, Porszasz J, Barstow T J, Cooper D M. The level and tempo of children’s physical activities: an observation study.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 1033-1041
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Baquet G, Berthoin S, Gerbeaux M, van Praagh E. Assessment of maximal aerobic speed with the incremental running field test in children.  Biol Sport. 1999;  16 23-30
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Baquet G eorges, Berthoin S, Gerbeaux M, van Praagh E. High-intensity aerobic training during a 10 week one-hour physical education cycle: Effects on physical fitness of adolescent aged 11 to 16.  Int J Sports Med. 2001;  22 295-300
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Bar-Or O, Zwiren L. Physiological effects of increased frequency of physical education classes and of endurance conditioning on 9 to 10-year-old girls and boys. In: Bar-Or O (ed) Pediatric Work Physiology, Proceedings of the Fourth International symposium. Tel-Aviv, Israel; Wingate Institute 1973: 183-198
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 9 Bar-Or O. Trainability of the prepubescent child.  Phys Sportsmed. 1989;  17 65-82
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Berthoin S, Manteca F, Gerbeaux M, Lensel-Corbeil G. Effect of a 12-week training programme on maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and running time to exhaustion at 100 percent of MAS for students aged 14 to 17 years.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1995;  35 251-256
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Billat V, Koralsztein J P. Significance of the velocity at V˙O2max and time to exhaustion at this velocity.  Sports Med. 1996;  22 90-108
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Christensen E H, Hedman R, Saltin B. Intermittent and continuous running.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1960;  50 269-286
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 di Prampero P E, Atchou G, Bruckner J C, Moia C. The energetics of endurance running.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1986;  55 259-266
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Gerbeaux M, Lensel-Corbeil G, Branly G, Jacquet A, Lefranc J F, Dierkens J M, Savin A, Savin N. Estimation de la vitesse maximale aérobie chez les elèves des collèges et lycées.  Sci Mot. 1991;  13 19-26
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Gilliam T B, Freedson P S. Effects of a 12-week school physical fitness program on peak V˙O2, body composition and blood lipids in 7 to 9 year old children.  Int J Sports Med. 1980;  1 73-78
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Kemper H CG, van de Kop H. Entraînement de la puissance maximale aérobie chez les enfants prépubères et pubères.  Sci Sports. 1995;  10 29-38
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Krahenbuhl G S, Williams T J. Running economy: changes with age during childhood and adolescence.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;  24 462-466
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Leger L, Mercier D, Gadoury C, Lambert J. The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness.  J Sports Sci. 1988;  6 93-101
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Lohman T G. Advances In Body Composition Assessment. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1992: 65-77
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 20 Lussier L, Burskirk E R. Effects of an endurance training regimen on assessment of work capacity in prepubertal children.  Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1977;  30 734-747
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 McLaughlin J E, King G A, Howley E T, Bassett D R Jr, Ainsworth B E. Validation of the COSMED K4 b2 portable metabolic system.  Int J Sports Med. 2001;  22 280-284
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Mandigout S, Lecoq A M, Courteix D, Guenon P, Obert P. Effect of gender in response to an aerobic training programme in prepubertal children.  Acta Paediatr. 2001;  90 9-15
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Pate R R, Ward D S. Endurance trainability of children and youths. In: Bar-Or O (ed) The Child and the Adolescent Athlete. Oxford; Blackwell Sciences 1996: 130-137
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 24 Petray C K, Krahenbuhl G S. Running training, instruction on running technique, and running economy in 10-year-old males.  Res Q Exerc Sport. 1985;  56 251-255
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Rotstein A, Dotan R, Bar-Or O, Tenenbaum G. Effects of training on anaerobic threshold, maximal aerobic power and anaerobic performance of pre-adolescent boys. Int.  J Sports Med. 1986;  7 281-286
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Rowland T W, Boyajian A. Aerobic response to endurance training in children.  Pediatrics. 1995;  96 654-658
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Rowland T W. Developmental Exercise Physiology. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1996: 173-192
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 28 Savage M P, Petratis M M, Thomson W M. Exercise training effects on serum lipids of prepubescent boys and adult men.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1986;  18 197-201
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 Schofield W N. Predicting basal metabolic rate, new standards and review of previous work.  Human Nutrition: Clin Nutr. 1985;  39 S5-S41
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 30 Stewart K J, Gutin B. Effects of physical training on cardiorespiratory fitness in children.  Res Q. 1976;  47 110-120
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 31 Tanner J M. Growth at Adolescence (2nd Ed.). Oxford, UK; Blackwell 1962
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 32 Tolfrey K, Campbell I G, Batterham A M. Aerobic trainability of prepubertal boys and girls.  Ped Exerc Sci. 1998;  10 248-263
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 33 Vaccaro P, Mahon A. Cardiorespiratory responses to endurance training in children.  Sports Med. 1987;  4 352-363
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 34 Wenger H A, Bell G J. The interactions of intensity, frequency and duration of exercise training altering cardiorespiratory fitness.  Sports Med. 1986;  3 346-356
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 35 Williams C A, Armstrong N, Powell J. Aerobic responses of prepubertal boys to two modes of training.  Br Sports Med. 2000;  3 168-173
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar

S. Berthoin

Laboratoire d’Etudes de la Motricité Humaine · Faculté des Sciences du Sport et de l’Education Physique · Université de Lille 2

9, rue de l’Université · 59790 Ronchin · France ·

Phone: 00 (33) 320887366

Email: berthoin@hp-sc.univ-lille2.fr