Sex-related differences in accumulated O2 deficit incurred by high-intensity rowing exercise during childhood and adolescence
Authors: Neil Armstrong
S√©bastien Ratel
Claire Thomas
Joffrey Bardin
Allison Diry
Hugo Maciejewski
Journal: European journal of applied physiology (2021)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Age; Girls; Lean body mass; Multiplicative allometric modelling; Non-oxidative metabolism.
Affiliations: Laboratory Sport, Expertise, and Performance ‚Ä?EA 7370, Research Department, French Institute of Sport (INSEP), Paris, France., French Rowing Federation, Nogent-sur-Marne, France., Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK., LBEPS - University of √âvry Val d'Essonne, IRBA - University of Paris Saclay, Evry, France., AME2P - EA 3533, Clermont-Auvergne University, Clermont-Ferrand, France. .

Abstract:  Purpose: The aims of the present study were to determine during childhood and adolescence (i) the effect of sex on non-oxidative energy production, quantified by the accumulated oxygen deficit (AOD), and (ii) the influence of AOD on high-intensity performance. Methods: Thirty-nine boys and 35 girls aged 10-17 years performed a 60 s all-out test on a rowing ergometer to determine AOD and mean power output (MPO). Multiplicative allometric modelling was used to assess the concurrent effects of lean body mass (LBM) and age on AOD. Results: AOD significantly increased with age in both sexes (p &lt; 0.001) with boys exhibiting significantly higher AOD than girls from the age of 14 years (10-11.9 yr: 1.9 vs 1.9 L, 12-13.9 yr: 2.4 vs 2.7 L, 14-15.9 yr: 2.8 vs 4.6 L and 16-17.9 yr: 2.9 vs 5.2 L, in girls and boys respectively, p &lt; 0.001). However, a sex difference was no longer significant when AOD was analysed using an allometric model including age and LBM (p = 0.885). Finally, significant correlations were found between AOD and MPO in boys and girls but with lower evidence in girls (r2 = 0.41 vs. 0.89). Conclusion: Non-oxidative energy production increased more extensively in boys than girls from the age of 14 years. Age and LBM accounted for the sexual differentiation of AOD during childhood and adolescence. In addition, AOD was found to be a determinant factor of high-intensity performance, more particularly in boys. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 The study is described as a prospective research in humans, performed in France. The study has recruited healthy volunteers, all minors. * Thirty-nine male and thirty-fve female rowers aged from 10 to 17 years volunteered to participate in the present study. * Medical and biologic parameters were collected such as : - anthropometric characteristics and body composition, - maximal O2 uptake - blood sample It is definitely a prospective research in human (RIPH). In France, all RIPHs (whatever the level) require the approval from a CPP before to start the recruitment of participants. Starting a prospective research in humans in France without a CPP is a serious breach to the Health French Law. Minors were included in this study. Minors are a vulnerable population and the French Health Law provides stricter requirements related to research in humans in this case. The ethic statement of this study is described as follows: * The present study was approved by an institutional ethics review board (Comitu00e9 du2019u00c9thique pour la Recherche en Sciences et Techniques des Activitu00e9s Physiques et Sportivesu2014CERSTAPS, nu00b02019-18-09-36) and conformed to the standards of use of human participants in research as outlined in the Sixth Declaration of Helsinki. The participants were informed of the experimental procedures and gave their written assent before any testing was conducted. In addition, written informed consent was obtained from the parents or legal guardians of the participants. * The CERSTAPS is not a Comitu00e9 de Protection des Personnes (CPP). As mentioned on the [CERSTAPS website] itself, a prospective research in humans in France MUST obtain an approval from a CPP before to start. The ethics statement do not provide any information related to a CPP approval. Can the authors clarify: - If they obtain a CPP approval before to start the recruitment? - If they request a CPP approval? In this case, what was the answer of the CPP ? If a CPP provides a waiver for the approval, the article should mention it and detail the waiver in order to raise any question on ethics procedure. However, if the CPP approval or a waiver from a CPP has not been obtained, this is a major infringement to the Health French Law and the Declaration of Helsinki (article 23). ,