Maximum oxygen uptake and objectively measured physical activity in Danish children 6–7 years of age: the Copenhagen school child intervention study

Abstract

Objectives: To provide normative data on maximum oxygen uptake (V O 2 MAX) and physical activity in children 6-7 years of age and analyse the association between these variables. Methods: V O 2 MAX was measured in 366 boys (mean (SD) 6.8 (0.4) years of age) and 332 girls (6.7 (0.4) years of age) from preschool classes in two suburban communities in Copenhagen, during a progressive treadmill exercise. Habitual physical activity was measured with accelerometers. Results: Boys had higher V O 2 MAX both in absolute values (1.19 (0.18) v 1.06 (0.16) litres/min (+11%), p,0.001) and relative to body weight (48.5 (6.0) v 44.8 (5.6) ml/kg/min (+8%); p,0.001) than girls. The difference in V O 2 MAX between boys and girls decreased to +2% when expressed relative to lean body mass (LBM). Absolute V O 2 MAX was related to LBM, body mass, and stature (all p,0.001). Boys were more physically active than girls (mean counts +9.4%, p,0.001), and even when boys and girls with the same V O 2 MAX were compared, boys were more active. The difference in physical activity between the sexes was higher when sustained activity of higher intensity was compared. Conclusions: V O 2 MAX is higher in boys than girls (+11%), even when related to body mass (+8%) and LBM (+2%). Most of the difference in V O 2 MAX relative to body mass was explained by the larger percentage body fat in girls. When boys and girls with the same V O 2 MAX were compared, boys engaged in more minutes of exercise of at least moderate intensity.

Daily physical activity and sports participation among children from ethnic minorities in Denmark

“…From these 704 participants questionnaire data combined with valid measures of physical activity (Nielsen, Bugge, Hermansen, Svensson, & Andersen, 2010) was obtained from 594 children (of whom 67 were from other ethnic backgrounds than Danish) at pre-school age (age 6-7 years) and from 518 (of whom 58 were from other ethnic backgrounds than Danish) when these children went to third grade (age 9-10 years). In height and weight these children were found to be representative of the whole population of children in Ballerup and Taarnby (Eiberg et al, 2005); the sample also seemed representative of the general Danish population in terms of social parameters such as the distribution of rental and self-owned accommodation, socio-economic position and the proportion from ethnic minorities.…”

A meta-analysis of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in pre-pubertal healthy children produces new information

“…[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] Among all included trials, 12 studies (60%) used the Tanner-Whitehouse evaluation scale to analyze children's maturation. 20 One study chose the Weber method, 21 whereas one identified the sample as pre-menarchal and therefore this analysis considered the population as prepubertal.…”

Limiting factors in peak oxygen uptake and the relationship with functional ambulation in ambulating children with Spina Bifida

“…Gas exchange analysis during an incremental ergometry test to the point of volitional termination due to exhaustion is considered the gold standard to measure VO 2peak (Shephard et al 1968). Earlier studies employing exercise testing in healthy children show it is possible to test VO 2peak in healthy children (Armstrong et al 1996;Eiberg et al 2005;Gulmans et al 1997;Reybrouck et al 1992;Rowland 1993). In this study, VO 2peak was measured using a treadmill test (EnMill, Enraf, Delft, The Netherlands), since all children would be able to perform this test and reference values are available for both young children and adolescents.…”