Effects of the time of day on repeated all-out cycle performance and short-term recovery patterns.

The effect of the time of day on repeated cycle sprint performance and short-term recovery patterns was investigated in 12 active male subjects (23+/-2 years, 76.4+/-4.2 kg, 1.80+/-0.06 m, 9.5+/-4.5 h . week (-1) of physical activity). Subjects performed ten 6-s maximal sprints inter-spaced by 30 s rest in the morning (08 : 00-10 : 00 h) and in the evening (17 : 00-19 : 00 h) on separate days. During the intermittent exercise, peak power output (P (PO), watts), total mechanical work (W, kJ), peak pedalling rate (P (PR), rev . min (-1)), and peak efficient torque (P (TCK), Nm) were recorded. The values at the 1st, the 5th, and the 10th sprints were used as mechanical indices of fatigue occurrence. Intra-aural temperature and maximal voluntary contraction of knee extensors muscles (MVC) were measured before (pre), immediately after (post) the cycle bouts and following a 5-min passive recovery period (post 5). The MVC indices were used to further confirm occurrence of neuromuscular fatigue and to assess short-term recovery patterns from all-out intermittent effort. During the MVC, electromyographic activity of the vastus lateralis muscle was recorded and analysed as its root mean square (RMS). The torque produced per unit RMS was calculated and used as index of neuromuscular efficiency (NME). A main effect for the sprint number was observed for all cycle performance parameters (p<0.05). The main effect for the time of day was not significant for any biomechanical indices of neuromuscular performance. A significant interaction effect of the time of day and the sprint repetition was demonstrated on P (TCK) ( F(2,22)=4.3, p<0.05). The decrease in P (TCK) consecutive to sprint repetition was sharper in the evening compared to the morning (sprint 10[% of sprint 1]:-9.5 % in the evening vs. - 2.2 % in the morning, p<0.05). Significant interaction effects of the time of day and the condition (i. e. pre, post, post 5) were also demonstrated for RMS ( F(2,22)=3.6, p<0.05) and NME ( F(2,22)=4.5, p<0.05) during MVC. These interactions were characterised by similar patterns of fatigue occurrence (i. e. post vs. pre condition) in the morning (+7.5 % for RMS, - 19.6 % for NME) as in the evening (+10.2 % for RMS, -19.4 % for NME) but different patterns of short-term recovery (i. e. post 5 vs. post condition; p<0.05) in the morning (-7.3 % for RMS, +13.7 % for NME) compared to the evening (+3.3 % for RMS, -1.8 % for NME). These results suggest that short-term recovery patterns of neuromuscular function are slower in the evening compared to the morning.

Effect of high-intensity intermittent cycling sprints on neuromuscular activity.

High-intensity intermittent sprints induce changes in metabolic and mechanical parameters. However, very few data are available about electrical manifestations of muscle fatigue following such sprints. In this study, quadriceps electromyographic (EMG) responses to repeated all-out exercise bouts of short duration were assessed from maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVC) performed before and after sprints. Twelve men performed ten 6-s maximal cycling sprints, separated by 30-s rest. The MVC were performed pre-sprints ( pre), post-sprints ( post), and 5 min post-sprints ( post5). Values of root-mean-square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) of vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) were recorded during each MVC. During sprints, PPO decreased significantly in sprints 8, 9, and 10, compared to sprint 1 (- 8 %, - 10 %, and - 11 %, respectively, p < 0.05). Significant decrements were found in MVC post (- 13 %, p < 0.05) and MVC post5 (- 10.5 %, p < 0.05) compared to MVC pre. The RMS value of VL muscle increased significantly after sprints (RMS pre vs. RMS post: + 15 %, p < 0.05). Values of MF decreased significantly in both VL and VM after sprints. In conclusion, our results indicate that the increase in quadriceps EMG amplitude following high-intensity intermittent short sprints was not sufficient to maintain the required force output. The concomitant decrease in frequency components would suggest a modification in the pattern of muscle fiber recruitment, and a decrease in conduction velocity of active fibers.

Effect of inertia on performance and fatigue pattern during repeated cycle sprints in males and females.

The effect of recovery duration on performance and fatigue pattern during short exercises was studied including and excluding the flywheel inertia. Subjects (11 males and 11 females) performed a force-velocity test to determine their optimal force (f (opt)). On the following day, subjects performed randomly 4 series of two 8-s sprints against f (opt), with 15 s (R (15)), 30 s (R (30)), 60 s (R (60)), and 120 s (R (120)) recovery between sprints. The cycle (Monark 824 E, Stockholm, Sweden) was equipped with an optical sensor to calculate the revolution velocity of the pedal. For each sprint, peak power (P (peak)), mechanical work (W) and time to reach P (peak) (t (Ppeak)) were calculated including (I) and excluding (NI) the acceleration of the flywheel. For a given sprint, P (peak) and W were greater and t (Ppeak) was lower in I compared to NI condition (p < 0.05). Differences averaged 13 % for P (peak), 20 % for W, 34 % for t (Ppeak), and remained constant between sprints 1 and 2. In sprint 2, P (peak) and W were significantly reduced compared to sprint 1 only after R (15) and R (30) in I and NI (p < 0.05), and no gender differences occurred. In each sprint, P (peak) and W were higher (p < 0.001) and t (Ppeak) was shorter (p < 0.05) in males than in females, and gender differences were the same including or excluding the flywheel inertia. In conclusion, values excluding inertia underestimated mechanical performance and consequently the total energy supply. However, the pattern of fatigue and gender differences in performance and fatigue remained unchanged whatever the condition (I or NI). This result may have practical implications when the flywheel inertia can not be taken into account in the calculation of mechanical work and power output.

Determinants of physical activity and physical and sports activities in French school children.

The influence of morphological, biological, sociological, psychological, and environmental factors on the practice of organized sports and the amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity was examined through a questionnaire and continuous heart-rate monitoring, for 80 schoolchildren, 11 to 16 years old. Sport-practicing boys had a lower percentage of fat mass. Sport-practicing girls had more frequently sport-practicing mothers and higher scores on achievement motivation than nonsport-practicing girls. Active boys had more frequently sport-practicing fathers than inactive boys. No statistically significant correlation was found between moderate to vigorous physical activity and organized sports. Those children who are the most involved in organized sports are thus not necessarily the most active ones.

Physical activity and sport involvement in French high school students.

The links between morphological, biological, sociological, psychological, and environmental characteristics, the practice of organized sports, and moderate to vigorous physical activities were examined by means of a questionnaire given to 48 high-school students aged between 16 and 19 years and their continuous heart-rate monitoring. Few correlations appear between these characteristics and moderate to vigorous physical activities. Only maximal oxygen uptake is linked to this type of activity in girls. Concerning sport involvement, correlations were more numerous for girls than boys. Physical and sports activities of girls were linked with maximal oxygen uptake, sport involvement of father, support, and encouragements of practice, perception of own activity, and private environment. Among boys, physical and sport activities were only linked with sport involvement of friends and perception of own activity. Unlike boys, physical and sport activities among girls seemed more strongly linked to sociological characteristics than other ones.

Decreased submaximal oxygen uptake during short duration oral contraceptive use: a randomized cross-over trial in premenopausal women.

Long-term oral contraceptive (OC) use is known to be associated with changes in haemostasis, cardiovascular dynamics, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Less well documented are the short-term variations in cardiorespiratory responses to exercise during the menstrual cycle of OC users. In this study the short-term effects of the usage of OC on cardiorespiratory and ventilatory responses to submaximal exercise were examined. Ten women (age = 23 +/- 3 years) on monophasic OC were tested at three different times during their 'cycle': during menstruation, off OC use (off OC: days 2-4), early on OC use (EOC: days 7 - 9) and late on OC use (LOC: days 19 - 21). Times of testing were assigned randomly. On each occasion participants performed a continuous 12-min run exercise on a treadmill at three submaximal intensities (averaging 7, 8 and 9 km h(-1)), each for 4 min. Heart rate, ventilation (VE), oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), respiratory exchange ratio and running economy were assessed in the last minute of each stage of exercise. No significant variations were observed between the different times for heart rate, VE, and VCO2 irrespective of the stage of exercise (p > 0.05). Using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures on both factors (three stages and three times), VO2 (ml kg(-1) min(-1)) was lower by 3% to 5.8% when participants were on early and late OC use compared to off OC regardless of the stage of the exercise (F(2,18) = 6.3; p = 0.008). Running economy (ml O2 kg(-1) km(-1)) was significantly improved (lower values) when women were on late OC use compared to off OC regardless of the stage of exercise. No significant interaction effect between stage of exercise and time of pill usage was demonstrated in any of the parameters studied. Results suggest that oral contraceptive users may expect lower VO2 and better running economy during the pill ingestion phase and consequently have implications for exercise performances.

Influence of the menstrual cycle phase and menstrual symptoms on maximal anaerobic performance.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to analyze the effect of the menstrual cycle phase on maximal anaerobic performance during short-term anaerobic tests. METHODS: Seven eumenorrheic women (NOC) and 10 women using monophasic oral contraceptives (OC) performed three anaerobic tests (force-velocity, multi-jump, and squatting jump tests) during menstruation (M: between days 1 and 4), the midfollicular phase (F: between days 7 and 9), and the midluteal phase (L: between days 19 and 21) of the ovarian cycle. Follicular and luteal phases were confirmed by serum progesterone levels. The order of testing sessions was randomly assigned and a 15-min standardized warm-up preceded each testing session. Rectal temperatures were taken before (Trec(b)) and after (Trec(a)) warm-up. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed among M, F, and L in Trec(b), Trec(a) maximal cycling power (Pmax(c)), maximal jumping power (Pmax(j)), or maximal height of jump (h(j)) in either NOC or OC. Ten of the women suffered premenstrual or menstrual symptoms (MS); the other seven did not report any premenstrual or menstrual discomfort (NMS). Presence or absence of symptoms was not correlated with oral contraceptive use. No significant differences were observed among the three stages of the menstrual cycle in Pmax(c), Pmax(j), or h(j) in NMS. In MS, only Pmax(j) decreased by 8% in M compared with that in F (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although there were no significant differences in maximal anaerobic performance during different menstrual cycle phases, results of this study suggest that the presence or absence of premenstrual or menstrual syndrome symptoms may have an effect, possibly through an action on the stretch-shortening cycle of tendons and ligaments.

Diurnal variations in ventilatory and cardiorespiratory responses to submaximal treadmill exercise in females.

Diurnal variations in ventilatory and cardiorespiratory responses to submaximal treadmill exercise were analysed in 11 eumenorrhoeic women and in 10 women using monophasic oral contraceptives. Subjects performed submaximal treadmill exercise at three intensities averaging 7, 8, and 9 km x h(-1), each for 4 min at 0800, 1300 and 1700 hours, assigned randomly on 3 separate days. Rectal temperature was measured before (T(rec(b))) and after (T(rec(a))) exercise. Cardiac frequency (f(c)), ventilation (V(E)), oxygen uptake (VO(2)), carbon dioxide output (VCO(2)), and respiratory exchange ratio (R) were assessed in the last minute of each stage of the exercise. Both T(rec(b)) and T(rec(a)) increased from 0800 to 1700 hours (P < 0.001). For a given submaximal work rate, VO(2) and VCO(2) were higher in the afternoon compared to the morning. Similarly, R was increased at 1700 hours compared to 0800 hours during the recovery period following exercise (P < 0.05). However, V(E) did not vary significantly during the day at any of the running intensities. No significant interactions (group x time of day) were observed in any of the studied parameters. In contrast to ventilation, the VO(2) and VCO(2) of the females during submaximal exercise were both affected by the time of day, without any differences between eumenorrhoeic women and users of oral contraceptives.

Continuous heart rate monitoring over 1 week in teenagers aged 11-16 years.

Heart rate (HR) was monitored in 66 French pubertal boys (B, n = 28) and girls (G, n = 38) aged 11-16 years to evaluate habitual physical activity (HPA) over a 1-week period in the winter. The HR and the percentage of heart rate reserve (%HRR) were taken to be indexes of the metabolic activity for the whole day and for the different parts of the day. The HPA was evaluated from the time spent each day below 50%HRR, between 50%-70%HRR and above 70%HRR, which related to the time spent in no or low physical activity (NLPA), moderate physical activity (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA), respectively. No sex differences were observed in the average %HRR each day [%HRRmean, [B 30 (SD 4)%; G 32 (SD 4)%]] or in NLPA [B 715 (SD 61) min, G 711 (SD 81) min] and VPA [B 19 (SD 16) min, G 21 (SD 21) min] throughout the week. During school days, daily %HRRmean was 7% smaller in 14-16 year olds compared to 11-13 year olds. This was linked to a decrease in MPA and a concomitant increase in NLPA (P < 0.05). Daily %HRRmean varied significantly during the week (range: 28-34% HRR). There were significant differences among the periods of the day (P < 0.05). The HR was the greatest during physical education lessons [128 (SD 11) beats x min(-1)], recreation [113 (SD 15) beats x min(-1)] and lunch break [108 (SD 12) beats x min(-1)] and the lowest during the evening [94 (SD 10) beats x min(-1)]. It was only during the lunch breaks that %HRRmean was greater (P < 0.05) on school days than on free days. Of all the teenagers studied 32% were considered active during the week.

Time-of-day effects in maximal anaerobic leg exercise.

Time of day variations in maximal anaerobic leg exercise were studied in 23 men mean age 23 (SD 3) years. All the subjects performed two anaerobic tests (force-velocity and multi-jump tests) and those familiar with sprinting ran an additional 50-m dash (n = 16). The maximal anaerobic powers for cycling and jumping (Pcycling and Pjump) and maximal anaerobic velocity (vpeak) were performed consecutively in the same order for all tests. The force-velocity and force-power relationships were established to determine Pcycling. The flight time (tf) and the ground contact time (tc) were recorded from five consecutive jumps on a jump-ergometer to calculate Pjump. The vpeak was measured between the 35th and the 45th m during the dash-run. The test schedules were at 0900, 1400 and 1800 hours on separate days in random order. Rectal temperatures (Tre) and body mass (mb) were measured before each test. The Tre increased significantly from 0900 to 1800 hours (P < 0.001) but mb did not vary during the day (P > 0.05). The Pcycling and Pjump were higher at 1400 and 1800 hours than at 0900 hours. The differences between the morning and the afternoon reached 3% (P < 0.05) for Pcycling and 5%-7% for Pjump (P < 0.01). The time-of-day effect was significant for tf (P < 0.05) but not for tc. During the dash-run tests, the differences almost reached significance for vpeak between 0900 and 1800 hours (P = 0.0544). No significant variations were observed between 1400 and 1800 hours for cycling, jumping and running tests. A time-of-day effect in the maximal anaerobic power of cycle and multi-jump tests existed. Such variations would have pronounced effects when expressed in competitions.

Relationships between oxygen consumption and heart rate in transitory and steady states of exercise and during recovery: influence of type of exercise.

Relationships between percentage of maximal oxygen consumption (%VO2max) and percentage of maximal heart rate reserve (%f(cr)) were compared during steady states of exercise (S), transitory states of exercise (T) and a 5-min recovery period (R). Male adults [mean age 27 (SD 10) years] were studied exercising on a treadmill (TR, n = 26), cycle ergometer (CE, n = 14) and arm traction bench (ATB, n = 14). The exercise intensity was adjusted according to the subjects in order to reach exhaustion in 4-5 steps of 2 min (ATB) or 3 min (TR, CE). The 1st min of each stage was considered as T and the last minute of each stage as S. The oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (f(c)) were recorded simultaneously. Significant correlations were observed for each type of exercise and for each state between %f(cr) and %VO2max (r range 0.87-1.00). During T and R, the %VO2max versus %f(cr) relationships were laterally shifted, suggesting a resetting of f(c) control mechanisms. In S, the intercept was greater than in T and R; in T, the slope was greater than in S and R. The VO2 could be predicted from individual %VO2max versus %f(cr) relationships during T and R as is usually done in S using specific equations. Taking into consideration the average relationships established on the three ergometers, the standard error of the predicted VO2 during S and T reached 10%-20% and 22%-38% in R. During exercise, the higher the intensity the better was the prediction of VO2 from f(c) (r range 0.46-0.60, P < 0.001). Therefore except at high exercise intensities, it was found that individual relationships had to be used to obtain an accurate estimation of VO2.

Effect of altitude and socioeconomic status on VO2max and anaerobic power in prepubertal Bolivian girls.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of high altitude and low socioeconomic status (SES) on aerobic and anaerobic power in 11-yr-old Bolivian girls. At both high (3,600 m) and low (420 m) altitudes, low-SES groups of girls were compared to similarly aged, high-SES girls. At low altitude, low-SES girls were also compared with younger high-SES girls with the same anthropometric characteristics. Anthropometric data were similar between high-SES and low-SES girls at both altitudes, but low-SES girls showed a 9-mo growth delay. Maximal O2 uptake was significantly lower for low-SES girls at both altitudes. Values did not differ when expressed relative to body weight at high altitude for high-SES vs. low-SES girls (37.6 +/- 1.2 vs. 39.3 +/- 1.0 ml.min-1.kg body wt-1), but a difference persisted at low altitude between high- and low-SES girls (37.5 +/- 1.0 vs. 34.7 +/- 0.7 ml.min-1.kg body wt-1). Anaerobic power (Pmax, force-velocity test; Pwing, Wingate test) was reduced for low-SES girls at both altitudes, whatever the mode of expression. For a given SES, the relative anaerobic performances were lower at low altitude. At low altitude, low-SES girls developed lower anaerobic power than did younger high-SES girls with similar anthropometric characteristics. In conclusion, at both altitudes, the reduction of anaerobic performances observed in girls of low SES could not be totally explained by anthropometric factors. Structural and/or functional muscle alterations are suggested. Moreover, at low altitude, tropical and other factors may have contributed to differences in performance between low- and high-SES girls.

Evaluation of habitual physical activity from a week's heart rate monitoring in French school children.

Habitual physical activity (HPA) was studied in 30 boys and 34 girls aged 6-11 years. All the children performed a shuttle run test (SRT) to assess maximal heart frequency (fcmaxSRT) and to evaluate maximal oxygen uptake (VO2maxSRT). Heart rate (fc) was measured continuously from Monday to Sunday, using a heart rate counter. The time spent at fc greater than 140 beats. min-1 (tfc > 140) and at fc greater than 160 beats. min-1 (tfc > 160) permitted HPA to be evaluated. The daily heart rate (fcd) and the percentage of heart rate reserve (%fcrd) were calculated to evaluate the metabolic activity. In the boys and girls, fcd and % fcrd varied little with age. The metabolic activity varied in a rhythmical way during the week and was higher during school days than during free days (P < 0.001). The children were more active during school days (ds) than during the free days (df). This observation was particularly marked in the boys having tfc > 140 being twice as high during ds compared to df [tfc > 140, ds 85 (SD 25), df 40 (SD 26) min; tfc > 160, ds 36 (SD 19), df 16 (SD 13) min]. During ds tfc > 160 was greater in the boys than in the girls (P < 0.01). The same held for tfc > 140 and % fcrd from the age of 9 years (P < 0.001). It was during the recreation periods that the differences between the boys and the girls were observed (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the boys and the girls during lessons, in the evening and during df (% fcrd 26-28%, tfc > 140 35-45 min, tfc > 160 10-18 min). In contrast, the children who were physically active in a sports club, had less spontaneous physical activity and % fcrd, tfc > 140, tfc > 160 and VO2maxSRT were identical to those of the other children.

The effect of acute hypoxia at low altitude and acute normoxia at high altitude on performance during a 30-s Wingate test in children.

The effect of acute hypoxia (FIO2 = 0.137 +/- 0.001) at Low Altitude (LA: Clermont-Ferrand, 330 m) and acute normoxia (FIO2 = 0.306 +/- 0.006) at High Altitude (HA: La Paz, 3600 m) on performance during a 30-s Wingate test has been investigated in prepubertal children (Tanner stage 1). Twenty five boys (LA, n = 10; HA, n = 15) aged from 10.6 to 12.7 years performed two Wingate tests at random: at LA, one in normoxia (ambient air) and one in acute hypoxia and at HA, one in chronic hypoxia (ambient air) and one in acute normoxia. The subjects performed the two tests using the same calibrated cycle ergometer. Peak Power (PP), Mean Power (MP), O2 uptake during the 30 s (VO2) and blood lactate accumulation (delta [L]s) were measured. Compared to normoxia, acute hypoxia at LA did not alter PP (8.0 +/- 1.1 vs 7.9 +/- 1.3 W.kg-1 BW) and MP (6.1 +/- 0.7 vs 6.1 +/- 1.1 W.kg-1 BW). Similarly, compared to chronic hypoxia, acute normoxia at HA did not modify these parameters (PP: 7.4 +/- 1.5 vs 7.3 +/- 1.8; MP: 5.4 +/- 1.2 vs 5.5 +/- 1.1; W.kg-1 BW). VO2 and delta [L]s were neither significantly changed by acute hypoxia at LA (520 +/- 50 vs 550 +/- 60 ml O2; 5.3 +/- 1.7 vs 4.8 +/- 1.7 mmol.l-1) nor by acute normoxia at HA (530 +/- 110 vs 500 +/- 90 ml O2; 3.4 +/- 1.3 vs 3.3 +/- 1.0 mmol.l-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anthropometry and lung function of 10- to 12-year-old Bolivian boys.

Anthropometric measurements of 23 HAHSES, 44 HALSES, 43 LAHSES, and 28 LALSES boys (see Introduction to this Supplement) are presented here. They include body height (H), body weight (BW), upper arm circumference (UAC), and skinfold thickness taken at four locations. From these measurements, body fat, lean body mass, and body mass index (BMI = BW/H2) were calculated. The degree of maturation was assessed according to Tanner, orchidometry, and by quantification of testosterone in saliva. Lung function data include: vital capacity (VC), forced expired volume per 1 s (FEV1), functional residual capacity (FRC), residual volume (RV), and total lung capacity (TLC). The results show enhanced lung volumes in both HA groups in comparison to LA groups, with HALSES boys having the greatest increase, even though the LSES boys were significantly smaller compared to the HSES boys at both altitudes and their growth was delayed by approximately 2 years. From the anthropometric data it appears that physical growth of prepubertal boys is dependent on SES but not on high-altitude exposure. We tentatively conclude that chronic hypoxia per se does not affect physical growth in prepubertal boys in an Andean environment and that development of lung function is accelerated in relation to linear growth as has been suggested by other authors (15).

Effect of chronic hypoxia and socioeconomic status on anaerobic power of 10- to 12-year-old Bolivian boys.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of chronic high altitude hypoxia and socioeconomic status on the anaerobic power, developed during short-term maximal exercises, of prepubertal Bolivian boys. We studied 67 prepubertal boys (9-12.6 years) at high altitude in La Paz (3600 m, Bolivia); 23 were from a high socioeconomic background (HAHSES) and 44 from a low socioeconomic background (HALSES). The group studied at low altitude in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (420 m, Bolivia) consisted of 78 boys of the same age; 30 were from a high (LAHSES) and 48 from a low (LALSES) socioeconomic background. Maximal anaerobic power (Pmax) was determined by a force-velocity test and mean anaerobic power (P) was measured by a 30-s Wingate test. The tests were realized at high and low altitude on the same calibrated cycle ergometer. At both high and low altitudes, Pmax expressed in absolute terms or relative to body weight were significantly higher in boys of high socioeconomic status (HAHSES: 6.8 +/- 1.0; LAHSES: 7.1 +/- 1.0 W.kg-1 BW) than in boys of low socioeconomic status (HALSES: 5.5 +/- 0.8; LALSES: 5.3 +/- 0.9 W.kg-1 BW). However, there was no significant difference between highland and lowland boys of the same socioeconomic class. The same observations were obtained for P (HAHSES: 5.2 +/- 0.8; HALSES: 4.5 +/- 0.9; LAHSES: 5.2 +/- 0.7; LALSES: 4 +/- 0.6 W.kg-1 BW). To conclude, boys of the same socioeconomic class at high and low altitude had the same anaerobic power. However, regardless of altitude, low socioeconomic status led to lower power developed during short-term maximal exercises.

Effect of chronic hypoxia and socioeconomic status on the maximal oxygen uptake of 10- to 12-year-old Bolivian boys.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of altitude and socioeconomic status on the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of prepubertal Bolivian boys. The subjects were 143 prepubertal boys (10 to 11.5 years old) living in La Paz (altitude 3600 m, n = 67) and Santa Cruz de la Sierra (altitude 420m, n = 76). At high altitude, 23 boys were from a high socioeconomic status (HAHSES) and 44 from a low socioeconomic background (HALSES). At low altitude, 29 boys were from a high socioeconomic level (LAHSES) and 47 from a low socioeconomic background (LALSES). Anthropometric characteristics were determined in order to assess the physical growth of the boys. The VO2max was determined from a progressive maximal exercise (direct method). The subjects performed this test using the same cycle ergometer at both high and low altitudes. For the overall anthropometric parameters, there was no significant difference between highland and lowland boys of the same socioeconomic status. However, regardless of altitude, boys from a low socioeconomic background were 2 years behind those from a high socioeconomic background. There was no significant difference for VO2max between boys from high and low socioeconomic backgrounds at HA (HAHSES: 37.2 +/- 5.6; HALSES: 38.9 +/- 6.4 ml.min-1.kg-1 body weight) and at LA (LAHSES: 42.6 +/- 5.4; LALSES: 43.1 +/- 4.9 ml.min-1.kg-1 body weight). The VO2max of highland boys was, on average, 11% lower than that of lowland boys. It appears, therefore, that a difference in socioeconomic status has no effect on the VO2max (ml.min-1.kg-1) of prepubertal children at low altitude as well as the altitude of 3600m.

The importance of socioeconomic and nutritional conditions rather than altitude on the physical growth of prepubertal Andean highland boys.

The aim of this work was to study the effect of hypoxic stress on the physical growth of prepubertal Bolivian boys (10-11.5 years of age) of the same socioeconomic and nutritional conditions. The subjects consisted of 143 boys living in La Paz (altitude 3600 m, n = 67) and Santa Cruz de la Sierra (altitude 420 m, n = 76). Among the boys studied at high altitude, 23 were from a high socioeconomic background (HA1) and 44 from a low socioeconomic background (HA2). The group studied at low altitude consisted of 47 boys from a high socioeconomic background (LA1) and 29 from a low socioeconomic background (LA2). A scientific evaluation of the nutritional status of the boys was realized from specific anthropometric characteristics (height, body weight, upper arm muscle circumference, body fat mass and body mass index) and haematological (haematocrit, haemoglobin, serum iron, serum ferritin, red cell protoporphyrin, transferrin saturation) and biochemical (total serum protein, albumin and prealbumin) parameters. At high as at low altitudes, the biometric characteristics of boys from a low socioeconomic background were significantly lower than those of boys from a high socioeconomic background. The physical growth of HA2 and LA2 boys was delayed by approximately 2 years. All the boys had biochemical and haematological parameters within the normal range. Boys from a low socioeconomic background were considered as marginally undernourished and those from a high socioeconomic background as well-nourished. Within the same socioeconomic class there was no nutritional difference between highland and lowland boys. Similarly, and this is the most important feature of this study, there was no difference for the overall biometric characteristics between highland and lowland boys of the same socioeconomic and nutritional status. Therefore, it appears that when socioeconomic and nutritional conditions are taken into account, there is no effect of hypoxic stress on the physical growth of prepubertal Andean highland boys.

Evaluation of physical fitness from field tests at high altitude in circumpubertal boys: comparison with laboratory data.

Field tests of running and laboratory tests were performed in La Paz [high altitude (HA), 3700 m] and in Clermont-Ferrand [low altitude (LA), 300 m] to investigate their validity at HA. Prepubertal boys of mean ages 10.6 years (HA1, n = 16; LA1, n = 28) and pubertal boys of 13.7 years (HA2, n = 12; LA2, n = 41) took part in the study. All the boys performed a 30-m sprint (V30m), a 30-s shuttle run (V30s) and a progressive shuttle run test until their maximal aerobic velocity (VmaxSRT). Maximal oxygen consumption was extrapolated from the last test (VO2maxSRT). In the laboratory, the boys performed a force-velocity test (Pmax), a Wingate test (PWing) and a graded test to measure maximal oxygen consumption (VO2maxB; direct method) on a cycle ergometer. At similar ages, there was no significant difference between HA and LA boys for V30m and Pmax. The V30s of HA boys was 3%-4% lower than those of LA boys (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference for PWing. Significant relationships were observed at both altitudes between Pmax (watts per kilogram) and V30m (HA: r = 0.76; LA: r = 0.84) and between PWing and V30s (HA: r = 0.67; LA: r = 0.77); the slopes and the origins were the same at HA and LA. The VO2max, VmasSRT and VO2maxB were lower by 9%, 12% and 20%, respectively, at HA than at LA (P < 0.05). However, the relationships between VO2maxB and VO2maxSRT (litres per minute) at HA (r = 0.88) and at LA (r = 0.93) were identical.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bioenergetic characteristics in prepubertal swimmers. Comparison with active and non-active boys.

The effects of physical activity (PA) on bioenergetic characteristics were studied in 53 prepubertal boys. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max; direct method), maximal anaerobic power (Pmax, force-velocity test), and mean power in 30 s (P30s, Wingate test) were compared (mean +/- SD) in three groups of boys of the same age (11 years): swimmers (Sw, n = 26, PA = 8 +/- 3 hrs/week), active boys (A, n = 16, PA = 7 +/- 2 hrs/week) and non-active boys (C, n = 11, PA = 3 +/- 2 hrs/week). No significant difference appeared between groups for VO2max (Sw, 50.7 +/- 5.4; A, 50.8 +/- 6.0; C, 49.4 +/- 7.0; ml.min-1 x kg-1), Pmax (Sw, 8.1 +/- 1.4; A, 8.4 +/- 1.4; C, 8.1 +/- 1.4; W.kg-1) and P30s (SW, 5.8 +/- 1.0 A, 6.3 +/- 1.7; C, 5.0 +/- 1.1; W.kg-1). Significant relationships (p < 0.01) existed between Pmax, P30s (W.kg-1) and VO2max (ml.min-1 x kg-1): r = 0.37 and r = 0.40, respectively. This indicates that there is neither aerobic nor anaerobic specialization during prepubertal development, and that regular sporting activity induces no great changes in the bioenergetic characteristics of prepubertal boys.