Body Size and V·O₂peak: A New Perspective?

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to show how dimensional analysis and biological similarity theory can be used to define and derive extensive (size-dependent) and intensive (size-independent) variables. The method was then used to analyze the peak rate of oxygen consumption (V·O₂ peak) data of children, adolescents, and adults to determine if size-independent increases in V·O₂ peak occur during growth and development. The results indicated growth and development is accompanied by a substantial increase in size-independent V·O₂ peak, which was associated with improvements in size-independent peak heart rate (HR _peak). When differences in fat free mass (FFM) were considered, size-independent HR _peak was similar in boys and girls within each age-group, but was greater in men than in women. In contrast, when differences in FFM were accounted for, size-independent peak oxygen pulse (O₂P _peak) was independent of age, although males tended to have greater values than females at all ages. Because O₂P _peak is proportional to the product of stroke volume (SV) and arterial mixed-venous oxygen difference (a-vO₂ peak), when differences in FFM were considered, the size-independent nature of O₂P _peak indicated the combined effects changes in SV _peak and (a-vO ₂peak) played a secondary role in improving aerobic capacity. In conclusion, during normal growth and development improvement in HR _peak, not stroke volume and arterial mixed-venous oxygen difference, appears to increase aerobic capacity.

Key words

Biological similarity - body size - dimensional analysis

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1 Quantities and variables are denoted by italic type, and dimensions by bold sans-serif as prescribed in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 811: Guide for the use of the International System of Units (SI), 1995 Edition, published by the United States Department of Commerce Technology Administration.