THE DEVELOPMENT OF AEROBIC POWER IN YOUNG ATHLETES

Previous studies investigating the effects of training in children hav e been hampered in their interpretation by the confounding effects of growth and development. We followed the development of maximal aerobic power (VO2max) in 453 athletes drawn from soccer, swimming, gymnastic s, and tennis. Study design was of a mixed longitudinal type with five age cohorts (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 yr) followed for 3 consecutive year s. A multilevel regression modeling procedure was used to identify the independent effects of predictor variables while accounting for the e ffects of growth, such as changes in body size. When age, height, and weight were controlled for, VO2max in males significantly increased wi th pubertal status, indicated by the coefficient value of 0.15 l/min b eing greater than its associated SE of 0.07 I/min. Females showed a si milar pattern, with a coefficient value of 0.13 +/- 0.07 l/min, althou gh the significant increase in VO2max (P < 0.05) found in males in the latter stages of puberty was not shown in females. Swimmers had the h ighest VO2max values (P < 0.001) at all ages.