Trainability of aerobic capacity in prepubescent: Systematic review.

Abstract

Increase of aerobic capacity in children and adolescents is associated with greater health benefits and promotes the sport initiation. However, it has not been determined whether these changes could be attributed to the physical training or are really induced by the natural maturation process in prepubertal children. The aim of this study was to do a systematic review to identify the changes in aerobic capacity by a physical training program in prepubescents. A systematic review in six electronic databases was performed, according to the accomplishment of the PRISMA declaration. Only 11 articles were selected. Increases in aerobic capacity were found in 73 % of the included articles in the present review; and only in three studies changes were not seen due methodological issues. However, it is necessary to unify training protocols, as well as studies design to establish the aerobic capacity training in prepubescents.