Perceived exertion scales attest to both intensity and exercise duration

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Human Performance

Background:

• Understanding the relationship between subjective feelings of exertion and objective physiological measures is crucial for effective training.
• Perceived exertion scales (RPE, ETL) offer a subjective way to gauge exercise intensity, but their interplay with duration in maximal efforts needs clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between perceived exertion (RPE, ETL) and exercise duration during all-out runs at velocities eliciting maximal oxygen uptake (vVO2 max).
• To determine if perceived exertion can be used to individualize exercise prescription.

Main Methods:

• 12 endurance-trained men completed incremental tests to determine VO2 max, vVO2 max, lactate threshold (vLT), and vdelta50.
• Participants then performed constant load all-out runs at vVO2 max and vdelta50 to measure time to exhaustion (tlim).
• Perceived exertion ratings were recorded at various relative time points during these runs.

Main Results:

• vdelta50 was approximately 90% of vVO2 max, with mean tlim values of 286s (vVO2 max) and 547s (vdelta50).
• At equivalent relative durations, perceived exertion was higher, and perceived endurance lower, at vVO2 max compared to vdelta50.
• Subjects perceived exercise as 'hard' (RPE=15) at significantly earlier relative durations during vVO2 max runs (36.4% tlim) than at vdelta50 (46.1% tlim).

Conclusions:

• RPE and ETL scales provide a combined subjective assessment of both intensity and duration during maximal and near-maximal intensity runs.
• Perceived exertion can be a valuable tool for assessing exercise duration and intensity, with potential applications in sports.
• Exercise duration can be prescribed based on perceived exertion, facilitating individualized training program design for healthy individuals.