HIGHER INTENSITY AEROBIC TRAINING IS APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN
Mascarenhas, L. P., Neto, A. S., Brum, V. P., DaSilva, S. G., & De Campos, W. (2006). The effects of two aerobic training intensities on aerobic and anaerobic power of prepubescent boys. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 1486.
This study attempted to verify the effects of two training intensities on aerobic and anaerobic power of prepubescent boys. Ss consisted of 8 to 10 years-old boys, randomly divided into three groups: Group A (N = 12) trained at >70% of reserve heart rate; Group B (N = 12) trained at <50% reserve heart rate: and Group C (N = 11) served as a non-training control. VO2max was evaluated using the 20m shuttle-run test and anaerobic power was assessed by the Wingate test, with a load of 7.5% of body mass. Running training sessions were conducted over two months, three times/week. Training intensity was controlled by a heart rate monitor.
VO2max changed only for Group A. No significant changes were demonstrated for peak and resistance anaerobic power.
Implication. Two months of aerobic training at an intensity of >70% of reserve heart rate significantly improved relative aerobic power of prepubescent children.