Resumen de Independent and Combined Effects of Weight Status and Maturation on Aerobic Fitness in Adolescent School-Aged Males

Mariana B. Batista, João Valente Dos Santos, João Duarte, Paulo Sousa-e-Silva, Manuel J. Coelho e Silva, Andre O. Werneck, David Ohara, Edilson Serpeloni Cyrino, Enio R.V. Ronque

• This study aimed to examine the independent and combined effects of pubertal and weight status on concurrent measurements of peak oxygen (V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) in school-aged adolescent males. The final sample included 49 boys (12.3 +/- 0.8 years). V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak was derived from an incremental progressive maximal protocol using a motorized treadmill. In addition, maximal oxygen uptake was estimated from a 20-m shuttle run test. Static allometric models were obtained as an alternative to performance output per unit of size descriptors. Weight status had a significant effect on V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak using simple ratio standards per unit of body mass (BM) with adolescents classified as overweight and obese (OWOB) attaining lower values of V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak. A similar trend was noted for the allometric models adopting body mass (ml[middle dot]kgBM-0.542[middle dot]min-1), stature (L[middle dot]m-2.602[middle dot]min), and fat-free mass (FFM; ml[middle dot]kgFFM-0.907[middle dot]min-1). Findings also suggest the influence and interaction of pubertal and weight status on absolute values of V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak. Considering the data obtained, linear equations to estimate V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak from the 20-m shuttle run test should not be applied to boys who are OWOB because it will produce inaccurate assessments of cardiorespiratory fitness and penalize those who are heavier. Equations for V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak prediction need to be specific for pubertal status and preferably consider FFM as a body size descriptor.