Key result
Girls aged 6-8 years had lower cardiovascular fitness than boys, indicated by a lower peak workload per body weight (2.7 vs. 3.1 W/kg, P<0.001) and a slower heart rate recovery.
Cross-Sectional (n=425)
Absolute Event Rate: 2.7% vs 3.1%
p-value: p=< 0.001
This study provides reference values for cardiovascular fitness and haemodynamic responses to maximal cycle ergometer exercise in children aged 6-8 years, highlighting sex differences.
Sex differences in fitness emerge by ages 6-8; hypothesis-generating for sex-specific norms and leaves clinical utility open.
We investigated cardiovascular fitness and haemodynamic responses to maximal cycle ergometer exercise test in children. The participants were a population sample of 425 children (204 girls, 221 boys) aged 6-8 years. Heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured from the beginning of pre-exercise rest to the end of recovery period. We provided reference values for peak workload and changes in HR and SBP during and after maximal exercise test in girls and boys. Girls had a lower cardiovascular fitness, indicated by peak workload per body weight [mean (2 s) 2.7 (0.9) vs. 3.1 (1.0) W · kg(-1), P < 0.001] and lean mass [mean (2 s) 3.5 (0.9) vs. 3.8 (1.0) W · kg(-1), P < 0.001] than boys. Plateau or decline in SBP close to the end of the test was found in about third of children and was considered a normal SBP response. Girls had a slower HR decrease within 2 min after the test than boys [mean (2 s) 53 (18) vs. 59 (22) beats · min(-1), P < 0.001]. The results are useful for physicians and exercise physiologists to evaluate cardiovascular fitness and haemodynamic responses to exercise in children and to detect children with low exercise tolerance or abnormal haemodynamic responses to exercise.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Lintu et al. (2013) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy children (n=425). Female sex vs. Male sex was evaluated on Peak workload per body weight (p=< 0.001). Girls aged 6-8 years had lower cardiovascular fitness than boys, indicated by a lower peak workload per body weight (2.7 vs. 3.1 W/kg, P<0.001) and a slower heart rate recovery.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: