Treadmill and cycle ergometry testing in 5- to 6-year-old children

Abstract.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the maximal cardiorespiratory responses of 48, 5- to 6-year-old children (24 girls and 24 boys), who were tested on a treadmill (TM) and an electronically braked cycle ergometer (CE). We also examined the percentage of boys and girls who were able to achieve the criteria for reaching maximal oxygen consumption ($\dot V{\rm O}_{{\rm 2max}}$ ) on each testing mode. After an orientation period, each child was tested twice (once on the TM and once on the CE), with an interval of 1 week between tests. $\dot V{\rm O}_{{\rm 2max}}$ was measured during progressive, all out, continuous TM and CE tests using standardized procedures. A 2×2 analysis of variance test (gender×exercise mode) with Bonferroni adjustment revealed the following: (1) there were no gender differences in any of the measured dependent variables, (2) the children produced a significantly higher relative $\dot V{\rm O}_{{\rm 2max}}$ (ml·kg^–1·min^–1) and a higher absolute $\dot V{\rm O}_{{\rm 2max}}$ (l·min^–1) on the TM than on the CE (P<0.001), (3) the children produced a higher heart rate on the TM than on the CE (P<0.001), (4) the CE generated significantly higher values for respiratory exchange ratio (P<0.001), (5) the criteria necessary to establish a maximal exercise effort were achieved on both the TM and the CE, and (6) all of the children reached two of the criteria associated with a maximal effort, while only 46% of the children reached three criterion measures. There were no significant differences in the attainment of criterion measures between the TM and the CE. The results of this study indicate a lack of gender differences in maximal exercise testing in 5- to 6-year-old children, and that both the CE and the TM are effective modes of maximal cardiorespiratory testing in this age group.