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Exercise modality and metabolic efficiency in children

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Abstract

Current exercise prescription guidelines for children recommend at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day. However, little is known about the efficacy of different cardiorespiratory exercise modalities prescribed to the pediatric cohort. Sixteen healthy children (8–12 years) completed 5-min trials of treadmill walking, cycling, and elliptical training in a randomized order. The treadmill walking speed was determined from measurements collected during a self-selected walking trial. The workloads for treadmill walking, cycling, and elliptical training were matched (40.3 W). Mechanical efficiency (ME%), perceived exertion (RPE), oxygen uptake, metabolic equivalents, and net energy expenditure were measured. ME% in walking was significantly higher than in cycling (P = 0.001) and elliptical training (P < 0.001), and cycling was significantly higher than elliptical training (P = 0.003). RPE in walking was significantly lower than in elliptical training (P = 0.006) but not from cycling (P = 0.314), and cycling resulted in significantly lower RPE than elliptical training (P = 0.021). Conclusion: Treadmill walking appears to be the most efficacious exercise prescription for otherwise healthy children; however, longitudinal studies need to be implemented to investigate the long-term benefits of each exercise modality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands

    Bob G. F. Verweij

  2. School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, PO Box 756, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand

    Lee Stoner & Sarah P. Shultz

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  1. Bob G. F. Verweij
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  2. Lee Stoner
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  3. Sarah P. Shultz
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Correspondence to Sarah P. Shultz.

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Verweij, B.G.F., Stoner, L. & Shultz, S.P. Exercise modality and metabolic efficiency in children. Eur J Pediatr 172, 1191–1196 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-013-2025-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-013-2025-4

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