Int J Sports Med 2002; 23(1): 50-54
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-19274
Training and Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Body Composition and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Indicators in Prepubescent Boys and Girls

P.  Rump1, 2 , F.  Verstappen3 , W.  J.  M.  Gerver4 , G.  Hornstra1
  • 1Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM)
  • 2Department of Human Biology
  • 3Department of Movement Sciences and
  • 4Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

May 9, 2001

Publication Date:
20 December 2001 (online)

Abstract

Relations between frequently used indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness, sex and body composition were studied in a birth-cohort based sample of young prepubescent children (age range: 6.8 - 8.2 years). The Bruce treadmill test was used to assess submaximal heart rate, endurance time (ET), calculated total work (Wtotal) and maximal power output (Pmax) in 100 children (50 boys, 50 girls). Body composition was determined by skinfold measurements. In 17 children, maximal oxygen consumption was measured. Percent body fat was negatively associated with ET and relative oxygen uptake (ml × min-1 × kg-1) and was positively related to submaximal heart rate at 6 minutes exercise (HR6). Fat-free mass was positively related to Wtotal, Pmax and absolute oxygen uptake (ml × min-1). Relative oxygen uptake (ml × min-1 × kg-1) was related to ET. Absolute oxygen uptake (ml × min-1) was related to Wtotal and Pmax. The observed differences in indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness between boys and girls were largely attributable to a difference in body composition. The results further demonstrate that when oxygen uptake measurement is not feasible, Wtotal or Pmax (expressed per kilogram fat-free mass) seem to provide better indicators of aerobic power than endurance time.

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P. Rump

Department of Human Biology · Maastricht University

PO Box 616 · 6200 MD, Maastricht · The Netherlands ·

Phone: +31 (43) 3881309

Fax: +31 (43) 3670976

Email: p.rump@hb.unimaas.nl