ABSTRACT
Anaerobic function during growth has not received the same attention from researchers, as aerobic function. This is a little surprising with respect to the anaerobic energy used daily during childhood and adolescence. Activity patterns in children are characterized by short bursts of exercise and therefore this pattern, perhaps, optimises the anabolic effects of exercise in the growing child[1]. During leisure-time activities or sport events, the child is spontaneously more attracted to short-burst movements, than to long-term activities. The fact, that anaerobic function is more performance-related and less health-related than aerobic function, might be a possible explanation for the relative disinterest from the paediatric exercise science community. The ability of muscle to generate power depends on its force capacity and shortening velocity. Because, both anaerobic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) turnover and muscle cross-section vary during growth and maturation, this paper will review some developmental aspects on energetic- and mechanical factors involved in anaerobic performances.
