Ventilatory responses at submaximal exercise intensities in healthy children and adolescents during the growth spurt period: a semi-longitudinal study

Fenfen Zhou (1, 2, 3) , Xiaojian Yin (1) , Kilian Phillipe (4) , Aya Houssein (2, 3) , Steven Gastinger (2, 5, 6) , Jacques Prioux (2, 3)

1 ECNU - East China Normal University [Shangaï]
2 M2S - Laboratoire Mouvement Sport Santé
3 ENS Rennes - École normale supérieure - Rennes
4 MEPS - Mouvement, Équilibre, Performance, Santé
5 IFEPSA - Institut Formation Education Physique et Sportive Angers
6 APCOSS - Activité Physique, Corps, Sport et Santé

Purpose - To identify the changes of ventilation ([Formula: see text]), tidal volume (V) and respiratory frequency (fr) at different incremental step test intensities during maturation of children and adolescents. Methods - A semi-longitudinal study was conducted on 68 healthy untrained boys and girls aged 11-17 years. The subjects were separated into three distinct age groups. [Formula: see text], V and fr parameters were evaluated annually during 3 years by modifying incremental step test intensities according to ventilatory threshold (V) level (30, 60 and 90% of [Formula: see text]O). Absolute and relative values of ventilatory responses were analyzed and compared according to age and developmental phase. Results - (1) Height, weight, lean body mass and vital capacity increased significantly from 11 to 17 years of age. (2) [Formula: see text]O, [Formula: see text], and V increased during maturation even when exercise intensity changed, especially from 11 to 15 years of age. On the other hand, fr showed a decreasing trend. Conclusion - Increases of V are the main reason for [Formula: see text] increases during maturation of children. fr decreased independently of total body mass during maturation. [Formula: see text].kg was stable despite intensity variations. V.kg increased significantly from 11 to 15 years then stabilized at 17 years. Lean body mass seems to explain the evolution of V.kg during maturation.

Mots clés: Semi-longitudinal study; Submaximal exercise; Breathing pattern; Children; Adolescents; Boys; Girls

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]; Physiologie [q-bio.TO]

Fenfen Zhou, Xiaojian Yin, Kilian Phillipe, Aya Houssein, Steven Gastinger, et al.. Ventilatory responses at submaximal exercise intensities in healthy children and adolescents during the growth spurt period: a semi-longitudinal study. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2021, 121 (11), pp.3211-3223. ⟨10.1007/s00421-021-04776-4⟩. ⟨hal-03332001⟩