Peak oxygen uptake in relation to age, sex, and maturation in Hong Kong Chinese children.

This cross-sectional study was designed to provide baseline information on peak oxygen uptake for Southern Chinese children in relation to age and sexual maturation. Sixty-three boys and 84 girls, classified for stage of sexual maturation using Tanner's stages, successfully completed a peak oxygen uptake test. ANOVA was used to examine differences in absolute and mass-related peak VO(2). The least-squares log-linear relationship between mass and peak VO(2) was examined using analysis of covariance. We found no difference between boys' and girls' peak VO(2) prior to puberty. Absolute peak VO(2) values for under-10-year-old Chinese girls and boys were 17% and 19%, respectively, lower than Caucasian predicted values. Log-linear adjusted means for prepubertal boys and girls were 34% and 33% lower than Caucasian boys and girls, respectively. By adolescence, values were comparable to Caucasian values. South Chinese children show a distinct pattern of development relative to Caucasian children, particularly in the younger age groups. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.