Analysis and correlation between VO2máx and physical activity frequency in adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Regular practice of physical activity has a positive effect on life’s quality, however there is a lower tendency shared by high school students to practice this activities. Objectives: To correlate the adolescents maximal oxygen uptake maximum (VO2máx) with the annual and weekly physical activity frequency (PAF). Methods: It was chosen 31 girls and 61 boys, aged between 14 and 16 years old. A questionnaire validated by PAF was applied and the adolescents were submitted to a cooper test. Results: It was possible verifying low levels of maximum VO2máx; on girls, 15.5 mL.kg-1.min-1; on boys, 31,8 mL.kg-1.min-1. Both groups values of PAF (min) were higher than the levels set on literature (weekly PAF: 672 for boy, 534 for girls; annual PAF: 20.156 – boy, 14.675 – girls). For boys, a significant correlation was found between the VO2máx and annual PAF (r=0.262; p=0.040), even as the VO2máx and body mass index (r=0.260; p=0.042). Conclusion: The teenagers had everyday activities, however with low cardiorespiratory capacity.