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The effect of endurance exercise training on cardiovascular fitness of Singapore primary school children aged 10 to 11 years
Author
Kok, Boon Siang
Supervisor
Soong, Paul
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the ability of selected Singapore primary school children to improve cardiovascular fitness as indicated by changes in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), after a 6-week period of aerobic training on cycle ergometers. 36 children aged 10.8 to 11.7 years were randomly grouped into control (CON) (n = 10 boys and 10 girls) and experimental (EXP) (n = 8 boys and 8 girls) groups. All subjects underwent three 20-minute exercise sessions weekly, at an intensity of 60% of their maximal heart rate (HRmax) Maximal treadmill testing was performed a week before and after training. Female subjects had significantly higher body fat percentage (% BF) but lower VO2peak than the male subjects before and after training (p < .05). VO2peak of the boys and girls were significantly correlated with percentage of body fat (r = -0.58, r = -0.66, p <.05) respectively. Mean VO2peak did not change significantly with training. After training, boys experienced an increase of 2.5 ml/kg/min (5.3%) but girls reported a decrease of 1.6 ml/kg/min (3.8%) (both p > .05). These findings suggested that the intensity of the training program was insufficient to improve the cardiovascular fitness of the selected Singapore primary school children.
Date Issued
1997
Call Number
GV481 Kok
Date Submitted
1997