Metabolismo em crianças e adolescentes durante o exercício

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present the state of the art on the substrate metabolism during exercise in children and adolescents, who has a lower performance in highintensity, short-duration exercises, lower lactate levels after the exercise, and oxidize more fat and less carbohydrate for meet aerobic energy demand, when compared with the same relative intensity in adults. Initially, it was assumed an underdeveloped glycolytic system in children and adolescents. Subsequent studies have shown relative lower muscle mass, greater relative water space and favorable conditions for aerobic metabolism in younger. It is currently believed that the muscle glycogen may be a decisive factor to explain differences in the metabolites oxidation, since this substrate has an important role in metabolism during exercises, besides being essential for the growth and development of these individuals. Thus, alternative energy sources supplied exogenously contribute to cover the energy demand during the exercises, sparing endogenous sources of carbohydrate.