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Gas exchange during exercise in obese children

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Abstract

Twenty-three obese children, aged 9 to 14 years, ranging in percentage overweight from 26% to 83% (median 51.6%±16.3%), and 37 normal-weight children, matched for sex, age and height, performed a maximal exercise test on a treadmill. Cardiorespiratory performance was assessed by determination of the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) expressed in ml O2/min per kg and as a percent of maximal oxygen uptake (% VO2max). VAT and VO2max related to body weight were significantly lower (P<0.01) in the obese than in the normal-weight children. VAT % VO2max was similar in the two groups. A significant correlation was found between VAT and VO2max both in the obese (r=0.85) and in the control groups (r=0.79). The habitual level of physical activity was lower in the obese subjects compared to the control subjects (P<0.001). In conclusion our study shows that physical fitness of overweight children is quantitatively lowered and that it can be assessed by VAT. VAT does not require a maximal test and is particularly useful in the ergometric study of subjects with exercise intolerance.

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Abbreviations

AT:

anaerobic threshold

HR:

heart rate

VAT:

ventilatory anaerobic threshold

VCO2 :

carbon dioxide output

VE:

ventilation

VO2 :

oxygen uptake

VO2max:

maximal oxygen uptake

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, I-35128, Padova, Italy

    S. Zanconato, E. Baraldi, P. Santuz, F. Rigon, L. Vido, L. Da Dalt & F. Zacchello

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  1. S. Zanconato
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  2. E. Baraldi
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  3. P. Santuz
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  4. F. Rigon
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  5. L. Vido
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  6. L. Da Dalt
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  7. F. Zacchello
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Zanconato, S., Baraldi, E., Santuz, P. et al. Gas exchange during exercise in obese children. Eur J Pediatr 148, 614–617 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441512

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441512

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