Journal Article


The efficacy of a discontinuous graded exercise test in measuring peak oxygen uptake in children aged 8 to 10 years

Abstract

As children’s natural activity patterns are highly intermittent in nature, and characterised by rapid changes from rest to vigorous physical activity, discontinuous exercise tests may be considered ecologically valid for this population group. This study compared the peak physiological responses from a discontinuous and continuous graded exercise test (GXT_D, GXT_C, respectively) during treadmill exercise in children. Twenty-one healthy children (9.6 ± 0.6 y) completed GXT_D and GXT_C in a randomised order, separated by 72-hours. Following each GXT, and after a 15-minute recovery, participants completed a verification test at 105% of the velocity attained at peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak). There were no differences in VO2peak (55.3 ± 8.2 cf. 54.4 ± 7.6 mL·kg-1·min-1) or maximal heart rate (202 ± 10 cf. 204 ± 8 b·min-1) between GXT_C and GXT_D, respectively (P>.05). Peak running speed (10.7 ± 0.9 cf. 12.1 ± 1.3 km·h-1) and respiratory exchange ratio (1.04 ± 0.05 cf. 0.92 ± 0.05) were however different between tests (P<.001). Although similar peak physiological values were revealed between GXT_C and the corresponding verification test (P>.05), VO2peak (53.3 ± 7.3 mL·kg-1·min-1) and heart rate (197 ± 13 b·min-1) were significantly lower in the GXT_D verification test (P<.05). In conclusion, a discontinuous GXT is an accurate measure of VO2peak in children aged 8 to 10 years and may be a valid alternative to a continuous GXT, despite its longer duration.

Attached files

Authors

Lambrick, D
Jakeman, JR

Oxford Brookes departments

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences\Department of Sport and Health Sciences

Dates

Year of publication: 2016
Date of RADAR deposit: 2017-06-05



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This RADAR resource is the Version of Record of The efficacy of a discontinuous graded exercise test in measuring peak oxygen uptake in children aged 8 to 10 years

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