Aerobic Power Profile in Young Athletes According<i> </i>to Age and Bio Banding

Objectives: VO2max values can be obtained through direct measurement with the use of laboratory tests or can be estimated indirectly by applying field tests, evaluative cut-off points are also required, which are adjusted to the individual characteristics of the subjects, including the sport discipline practiced. The aim of the present work is to categorize aerobic power in male and female athletes according to specific chronological age ranges and Bio-Bands of somatic maturation in young athletes. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out. A total of 613 athletes between 11 and 20 years of age were evaluated. The maximum oxygen consumption was estimated through the 20 m shuttle run test, and the anthropometric variables through the ISAK protocol. The peak heigth velocity was used to establish the somatic maturation bio-bands. For the determination of the aerobic power profile, cut-off points were made with the mean and standard deviation, processed using SPSS 28.0. Results: it is observed that the male group presents higher values than the female group, while the athletics subjects of both sexes present higher values for VO2 max in all age groups and by degree of maturity, with an average of 60 ml.kg.min for males and 51 ml.kg.min for females, with the exception of boys in wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling from 11 to 12.9 years of age with 57.4 ml.kg.min. Conclusions: the cut-off points constructed represent a reference to evaluate the aerobic power and qualify the aerobic physical fitness level of the athletes, according to the sport practiced and the individual characteristics of the subjects.