Aerobic responses of prepubertal boys to two modes of training

Objective-To investigate the effects of two contrasting eight week training programmes on the aerobic performance of 39 prepubescent boys (mean age 10 .1 years). Methods-All boys were volunteer subjects from three city schools and the sc hools were matched by a health related behaviour questionnaire. All of the boys were assessed as Tanner stage one for genitalia and pubic hair develop ment. Criterion laboratory tests included peak (V) over dot O-2 as assessed by an incremental discontinuous treadmill test to voluntary exhaustion. Su bmaximal measurements of heart rate, minute ventilation ((V) over dot E) an d (V) over dot O-2, were also recorded during the treadmill test. One of th e schools provided the control group (n = 14), and boys from the other scho ols followed two contrasting training programmes. The first was a sprint in terval running programme (n = 12) comprising 10 second and 30 second sprint s, and the second a continuous cycle ergometer programme (n = 13) maintaini ng a heart rate in the range 80-85% of maximum for 20 minutes on a Monark c ycle ergometer. After eight weeks training three times a week, the three gr oups were retested. Results-There were no significant differences in peak (V) over dot O-2, (p> 0.05) with training in either of the groups. Neither were there significant changes in any of the submaximal variables (V) over dot O-2, (V) over dot E, or heart rate (p>0.05). Conclusion-The findings of this study indicate that neither eight week spri nt interval running nor continuous cycle ergometer training programmes sign ificantly improve maximal or submaximal indicators of the aerobic performan ce of prepubertal boys.