Purpose - To identify the changes of ventilation ([Formula: see text]), tidal volume (V) and respiratory frequency (fr) at different incremental step test intensities during maturation of children and adolescents. Methods - A semi-longitudinal study was conducted on 68 healthy untrained boys and girls aged 11-17 years. The subjects were separated into three distinct age groups. [Formula: see text], V and fr parameters were evaluated annually during 3 years by modifying incremental step test intensities according to ventilatory threshold (V) level (30, 60 and 90% of [Formula: see text]O). Absolute and relative values of ventilatory responses were analyzed and compared according to age and developmental phase. Results - (1) Height, weight, lean body mass and vital capacity increased significantly from 11 to 17 years of age. (2) [Formula: see text]O, [Formula: see text], and V increased during maturation even when exercise intensity changed, especially from 11 to 15 years of age. On the other hand, fr showed a decreasing trend. Conclusion - Increases of V are the main reason for [Formula: see text] increases during maturation of children. fr decreased independently of total body mass during maturation. [Formula: see text].kg was stable despite intensity variations. V.kg increased significantly from 11 to 15 years then stabilized at 17 years. Lean body mass seems to explain the evolution of V.kg during maturation.