Metabolic and Fatigue Profiles Are Comparable Between Prepubertal Children and Well-Trained Adult Endurance Athletes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether prepubertal children are metabolically comparable to well-trained adult endurance athletes and if this translates into similar fatigue rates during high-intensity exercise in both populations. On two different occasions, 12 prepubertal boys (10.5 ± 1.1 y), 12 untrained men (21.2 ± 1.5 y), and 13 endurance male athletes (21.5 ± 2.7 y) completed an incremental test to determine the power output at VO2max (PVO2max) and a Wingate test to evaluate the maximal anaerobic power (Pmax) and relative decrement in power output (i.e., the fatigue index, FI). Furthermore, oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), and capillary blood lactate concentration ([La]) were measured to determine (i) the net aerobic contribution at 5-s intervals during the Wingate test, and (ii) the post-exercise recovery kinetics of VO2, HR, and [La]. The Pmax-to-PVO2max ratio was not significantly different between children (1.9 ± 0.5) and endurance athletes (2.1 ± 0.2) but lower than untrained men (3.2 ± 0.3, p < 0.001 for both). The relative energy contribution derived from oxidative metabolism was also similar in children and endurance athletes but greater than untrained men over the second half of the Wingate test (p < 0.001 for both). Furthermore, the post-exercise recovery kinetics of VO2, HR, and [La] in children and endurance athletes were faster than those of untrained men. Finally, FI was comparable between children and endurance athletes (−35.2 ± 9.6 vs. −41.8 ± 9.4%, respectively) but lower than untrained men (−51.8 ± 4.1%, p < 0.01). To conclude, prepubertal children were observed to be metabolically comparable to well-trained adult endurance athletes, and were thus less fatigable during high-intensity exercise than untrained adults.

Comparison of maturation and physical performance in basketball athletes of different playing positions

“…Although it may seem inconsistent for less mature players (small forwarders and point guards) to outperform Yo-Yo IR1 in relation to more mature players (centers), it is likely that metabolic and neuromuscular changes that occur with maturation may be used as a justification to explain these results. Studies available in literature have shown that metabolic and neuromuscular changes that occur with the biological maturation process maximize the development of anaerobic metabolism and adversely influence energy production through aerobic metabolism 26,27 . For example, Doncaster et al 28 have shown that soccer players of the same chronological age classified as pre-PHV (less mature) have higher "efficiency" in using the oxidative system for energy production (represented by faster oxygen uptake kinetics) compared to players who were near or beyond PHV (more mature).…”

Strength and Conditioning for Adolescent Endurance Runners

“…A recent study also showed that pre-pubertal boys (11 years) were metabolically comparable to well-trained endurance athletes and experienced less fatigue during high-intensity exercise compared to untrained adults (14). It was suggested that pre-pubertal children avoid specific training to develop aerobic metabolic qualities and shift priority during post-pubertal years once movement technique and mechanical competency have been developed (14). Due to the risks associated with early-specialization, it is recommended that adolescent athletes younger than 15 years old do not solely specialize in endurance running, but should participate in a wide range of sports and physical activities, including ST.…”

“…Moreover, pre-pubertal children have tended to show smaller changes (<10%) in aerobic measures following endurance training interventions compared to post-pubertal adolescents and adults (54,56). A recent study also showed that pre-pubertal boys (11 years) were metabolically comparable to well-trained endurance athletes and experienced less fatigue during high-intensity exercise compared to untrained adults (14). It was suggested that pre-pubertal children avoid specific training to develop aerobic metabolic qualities and shift priority during post-pubertal years once movement technique and mechanical competency have been developed (14).…”

“…A young athlete should be exposed to a wide range of sports and physical activities during their adolescence, however the priority should be placed on the development of rudimentary motor skills and muscular strength (49). Endurance training during early-adolescence (11)(12)(13)(14) years old) should form part of an active healthy lifestyle but should not take precedence over other modalities of sport-training (80). Endurance sports are typically associated with a high volume of training (80), which places the developing body of a young athlete under a high level of stress that could leave them susceptible to overtraining syndrome, illness and overuse injury (54).…”

Differences in the Bodyweight, Hydration Levels, Lean Mass, and Fat Mass in Spanish Junior Elite Judokas

“…The instrument used was a Tanita Inner scan BC545N (Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan) auto calibrated, with a maximum weighing of 150 kg and an error of 100 grams to obtain the BIA (bioimpedance) and determine the variables of body weight (kilograms), hydration (% of water with respect to the Bw), and BMI (kg/m 2 ) [33][34][35] without taking into account the bone mass also collected by Tanita M ± 2.5 kg, which remain stable.…”