In order to analyse the relationship between maximal aerobic power (V.O2) and height, body mass and lean body mass a multi-longitudinal survey was conducted on three different age groups of randomly selected children from a small Czech community. Beginning at the initial ages of 8, 12 and 16 years subjects were subsequently retested three times at 2-year intervals.
At overlapping ages there were no differences in the various age groups between height and V.O2. By utilizing mean values for the various parameters at specific calendar ages a growth curve was constructed for each sex for the age range 8-20 years.
The values were compared with longitudinal studies in various countries and no substantial differences were found. When V.O2 was then compared to height, body mass and lean body mass it was apparent that the almost linear relationship with height was the most precise.
In addition the children remained, generally speaking, in their same rank order for V.O2 for the three different age groupings.