Influence of gender on heart rate curves during a progressive test in young runners

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the Heart Rate Deflection Point (HRDP) in young runners and, then, compare the HRDP intensities between the athletes’ gender. Nineteen young runners (11 boys, age = 13.7 ± 1.6 yrs and 8 girls, age = 12.8 ± 1.3 yrs) underwent an incremental track test starting with 8 km·h-1 with increments of 1 km·h-1 every 2 min until exhaustion. The HRDP was determined using the Dmax method. Peak Velocity (PV) was lower (P<0.05) in girls than boys. Heart Rate Peak (HR peak) was similar between the two groups (P>0.05). No significant differences were found between boys and girls for velocity, HR, and %HR peak measured at HRDP. However, significantly lower values (P<0.05) in boys were found for %PV measured at HRDP. The results suggest that the relative intensities of HRDP identification in young runners appear to be associated with gender.