Factors for improvement of endurance running performance in elementary school boys: Relationship between _VO 2 max, ventilatory threshold, running economy and relative growth rate. Japan J. Phys. Educ. Hlth. Sport Sci. 62: 621 629, December, 2017 AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between endurance running performance and aerobic capacity (maximal oxygen uptake: _VO 2 max, velocity at ventilatory threshold: vVT, running economy: RE) in elementary school boys,

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... n relation to their development and height growth. Ninety-three healthy elementary school boys participated. Endurance running performance was evaluated in terms of running velocity at _VO 2 max (v _VO 2 max), which was measured by an incremental running test on a treadmill. _VO 2 max, vVT and RE were also measured in the same way. It was found that v _VO 2 max was signiˆcantly related to _VO 2 max, vVT and RE. Chronological age was signiˆcantly related to absolute _VO 2 max (L・min -1 ), vVT and RE but not relative _VO 2 max (mL・kg -1 ・min -1 ). Among developmental factors, chronological age was signiˆcantly related to v _VO 2 max, vVT and RE, but not _VO 2 max. Therefore, we conclude that the factors contributing to improved endurance performance of elementary school boys are _VO 2 max, vVT and RE. With regard to development and related height growth, endurance performance could be attributable to vVT and RE (i.e. qualitative changes) rather than _VO 2 max (i.e. a quantitative change).