Fatigue resistance during high-intensity intermittent exercise from childhood to adulthood in males and females

This study examined the maturation pattern of fatigue resistance (FR) from childhood to adulthood in females and males during high-intensity intermittent exercise and compared FR between females and males in childhood and adolescence. Thirty males (boys 11.3 ± 0.5 years, teen-males 14.7 ± 0.3 years, men 24.0 ± 2.1 years) and 30 females (girls 10.9 ± 0.6 years, teen-females 14.4 ± 0.7 years, women 25.2 ± 1.4) participated in this study. They performed high-intensity intermittent exercise (4 × 18 maximal knee flexions and extensions with 1-min rest) on an isokinetic dynamometer at 120°s⁻¹. Peak torque of flexors (PTFL) and extensors (PTEX), and total work (TW) were measured. FR was calculated as % of PTEX, PTFL, and TW in 4th versus 1st set. FR was greater (P < 0.05) in boys versus teen-males and men, and in teen-males versus men. In females, FR was greater (P < 0.05) in girls versus teen-females and women, but not different between teen-females and women. FR was not different in boys versus girls and in teen-males versus teen-females. FR for PTFL, PTEX, and TW correlated negatively (P < 0.001) with the respective peak values (r = −0.68 to −0.84), and FR for TW with peak lactate (r = −0.58 to −0.69). In addition, age correlated (P < 0.01) with FR for males (r = −0.75) and females (r = −0.55). In conclusion, FR during high-intensity intermittent exercise undergoes a gradual decline from childhood to adulthood in males, while in females the adult profile establishes at mid-puberty (14–15 years). The maturation profile of FR in males and females during development appears to reflect the maturation profiles of peak torque, short-term muscle power, and lactate concentration after exercise. T. Tsirini and A. Zafeiridis contributed equally to this work.