Maximum aerobic power and body composition during the puberty growth period: similarities and differences between children of two European countries

Abstract

This report gives results of a longitudinal study of two cohorts of school children in Norway and West-Germany. The rate of growth in body size and composition is identical for the two samples, but different for the two sexes, and follows closely the trend of growth which has been found for North-Europeans in general. Despite of this similarity in growth of anatomical variables the Norwegian children appeared to be superior in their maximum aerobic power at all comparable ages and in both sexes. The differences between means in maximal oxygen uptake varies somewhat with age and sex and are in the range of 5-10%. It is suggested that the mean differences between Norwegian and German children in their exercise and cardio-vascular fitness are brought about by a more physically active behavioural pattern of living in Norway.