Aerobic capacity of adolescents.

Abstract

Average values for a variety of anthropometric and physiologic parameters have been obtained for a representative group of American adolescents (15-18 years old) of European ancestry. Both male (N = 95) and female (N = 95) subjects were studied at rest and during work on a bicycle ergometer. The mean values for the boys generally exceeded those for the girls, as body size exerted an important influence. At rest the boys had higher values for oxygen consumption, pulmonary ventilation, and metabolic rate (VO2 Per unit body size); the girls had a higher average heart rate. At maximal work the boys had higher values for oxygen consumption ([male] x = 3.34 liters/min, [female] = 1.90 liters/min), pulmonary ventilation, and heart rate ([male] x = 196/min, [female] x = 193/min); the girls had a higher average ventilatory equivalent. When aerobic capacity was expressed in terms of body weight, the girls had a mean value of 33.6 and the boys 50.3 ml/kg per min. The prediction of aerobic capacity from steady-state heart rate reactions to submaximal work was enhanced by including the person''s body weight in the calculation.