[Study of physical fitness in children, and its application to pediatric clinics and sports medicine]

Abstract

To estimate the physical fitness of children, the easy and useful method for the measurement of aerobic power was developed. The method was applied to an exercise test and a therapy for obesity. Anaerobic power was also measured, and the development of the physical fitness in children was characterized according to aerobic and anaerobic capacity. Furthermore, the problems in pediatric sport medicine and the influence of sports activity were studied for the management and promotion of health in children. 1. Normal value of VO2max and PWC, parameters of aerobic capacity, were established using a bicycle ergometer adapted to children. In 112 healthy children aged 6-15 years, VO2 max/kg were boys; 62.3 +/- 12.6 ml/kg/min (m +/- SD), girls; 53.8 +/- 12.8 and PWC75%HRmax were boys; 2.39 +/- 0.55 Watt/kg, girls; 1.90 +/- 0.48. Both data were remarkably higher than in adults. 2. An exercise test measuring with aerobic power was established, and cardiovascular responses were analyzed. The test was applied to the medical check for children with periodic sports performance and who had chronic illness. 3. Aerobic power was measured in 22 obese children aged 6-14 years. VO2max/kg and PWC75%HRmax were significantly lower than the normal values. Then, an exercise system was designed for the therapy of obese children, and a good response was obtained in all children. 4. Anaerobic power was also measured using a bicycle ergometer following force-velocity test. In 22 healthy children aged 7-15 years, the peak power was 5-7 Watt/kg which was lower than in adults (9-11 Watt/kg). 5. Daily activity was evaluated by a pedometer and a heart rate monitor. Children tended to become more active as they grew older before the elementary school age, but their activity gradually decreased after that. 6. The problems in pediatric sport medicine were that they tended to exercise not in daily playing but in belonged sport club, and also tended to do sports for winning. It is desirable that children do various kinds of sports using an aerobic power to develop the physical fitness, to have fun and to raise sociality.