Physical fitness of the Czechoslovak population between the ages of 12 and 55 years. Oxygen consumption and pulse oxygen.

The authors measured oxygen consumption in a Czechoslovak population aged from 12 to 55 years. An abrupt increase was found between 12 and 18 years, when the maximum was reached (males 3.28, females 2.17 l/min), followed by a slower decrease to 55 years. Relative O2 consumption (per kg body weight) showed a continuous decrease from 12 years, when maximum values were recorded (49 ml/min . kg for boys, 46 ml/min . kg for girls), to 55 (33 ml/min . kg for males, 27 ml/min . kg for females). In the adult population (18--55 years), no differences were observed in the values at the various levels of submaximal loading. The pulse oxygen attained the maximum at 18 (males 16.8, females 11 ml).