Physical Fitness in Terms of Maximal Oxygen Intake of Nomadic Lapps

摘要

Physical fitness in terms of aerobic working capacity was measured in nomadic Lapps living in the northern part of the Scandinavian peninsula. 49 men between 10 and 55 years of age, and 21 girls were studied. Aerobic capacity was determined by measuring oxygen consumption during exercise on a bicycle ergometer. Two or three submaximal loads were used. The maximal work lasted 3-4 minutes, during which the subjects worked as hard as they could. Blood lactate taken after this heavy run showed that the oxygen requirement exceeded oxygen intake, thus indicating that maximal values for oxygen intake were achieved during this type of exercise. The values for maximal oxygen intake of nomadic Lapps increased steadily from the age of 10 up to 18, from an average of 1.4 1/min. to about 3.5 1/min. The latter value remained essentially unchanged up to the age of 30 years in men. Maximum oxygen consumption then decreased to about 2.5 1/min at 50 years of age. No sex differences were noted in subjects below 15 years of age. (Author)