Effect of training on peak oxygen uptake and blood lipids in 13 to 14-year-old girls

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on the peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) and blood lipid profile of 13 to 14‐y‐old postmenarcheal girls. Treadmill determined peak VO2, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density cholesterol, and triglycerides were the outcome measures assessed at baseline and following exercise training. Twenty girls completed a 20‐wk programme of exercise training which involved maintaining the heart rate at 75–85% maximum for 20 min, three times per week. Heart rate was rigorously monitored using telemetry throughout each training session. Eighteen girls acted as the control group. There were no significant (p≫ 0.05) changes in the outcome measures following the training programme. Conclusions: These findings suggest that exercise training of this frequency, intensity and duration for a period of 20 wk has no significant effect on either the peak VO2 or blood lipid and lipoprotein profile of normolipidaemic, postmenarcheal girls.