Ad. Mahon et al., PHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF 3-KILOMETER RUNNING PERFORMANCE IN MALE-CHILDREN, International journal of sports medicine, 17(8), 1996, pp. 580-584
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of body fatness
, aerobic and anaerobic ability on 3-km running performance in 19 phys
ically active boys (mean +/- SD, age = 10.4 +/- 0.9 yrs). The sum of s
ix skinfolds, VO2 at 8.04 and 9.65 km . hr(-1), and VO(2)max were meas
ured in the laboratory. Run time for 3 km was assessed twice on separa
te days on a 200-meter indoor track. Prior to each run, every child pe
rformed two 55-meter sprints and two vertical jumps. Mean +/- SD value
s for the sum of skinfolds, %VO(2)max at each running speed, VO(2)max
and 3-km run time were: 33.9 +/- 14.9 mm; 70.6 +/- 6.6 % and 81.0 +/-
7.9 %; 54.6 +/- 5.0 ml . kg(-1). min(-1); 16.41 +/- 2.58 min, respecti
vely. Significant (p < 0.05) correlations were observed between the fo
llowing variables and run time: sum of skinfolds (r = 0.72); vertical
jump (r = -0.67); sprint time (r = 0.59); VO(2)max (r = -0.61); and, %
VO(2)max at each treadmill speed (r = 0.79 and r = 0.75, respectively)
. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the combination
of the %VO(2)max at 8.04 km . hr(-1) and vertical jump accounted for
83 % (adjusted R(2)) Of the variance in running time (SEE = 1.06 min,
p < 0.05). This study suggests that 3-km run time in physically active
boys is influenced by aerobic and anaerobic indices as well as body f
atness, supporting the notion that children, compared to adults, are n
ot metabolic specialists.