[Perceived effort: correlation with the anaerobic threshold and usefulness in a training program]

Following the extensive technical progress in monitoring of sports performance, putting certain physiological principles out of reach for the everyday sportsman, we wondered if perceived effort (PE) as described by Borg is a parameter that is of use, or complementary, to the determination of the anaerobic threshold (AT) during an incremental test on a treadmill on one hand and to prescribing exercise adapted to the type of metabolic load on the other. 46 sportsmen (various soccer players, regional runners) were asked to complete a Conconi Test on a treadmill and at the same time were asked to evaluate their PE (as defined by Borg) at each performance level. We then plotted PE as a function of running speed, thus finding a point of inflexion (ascending) for PE. The speed corresponding to this point shows an excellent correlation with the AT as determined from cardiac frequency. The absolute value of PE at the AT varied little within our group, but seemed to vary according to the type of sport and the subjects' sports practice. Taking the limitations of this method in consideration, PE may be used as an additional indicator in the determination of the AT in an incremental AT-test and can be useful in the prescription of an exercise program.