Does the Timing of Measurement Alter Session-RPE in Boxers?

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Training Load Monitoring

Background:

• Quantifying training load in combat sports like boxing presents unique challenges.
• The session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) is a practical method for assessing internal training load.
• Previous research has not definitively established the optimal timing for session-RPE measurements post-exercise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the influence of measuring session-RPE at 10 minutes versus 30 minutes following exercise sessions of varying intensities.
• To determine if earlier measurement timing affects the reliability of session-RPE in boxers.

Main Methods:

• Eight boxers participated in a randomized study involving three standardized training sessions (easy, moderate, hard).
• Exercise intensity was monitored using heart rate, blood lactate, and session-RPE.
• Session-RPE data were collected at both 10 and 30 minutes post-exercise for each session intensity.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in session-RPE values were observed between 10-minute and 30-minute measurements across easy, moderate, and hard training intensities.
• Associated physiological measures (heart rate, blood lactate) also showed no significant variation based on measurement timing.
• This indicates consistent and reliable session-RPE data regardless of whether it's collected 10 or 30 minutes post-exercise.

Conclusions:

• Session-RPE is a reliable tool for monitoring training load in boxing across different intensities.
• Accurate session-RPE measurements can be obtained as early as 10 minutes after exercise, enhancing practical application for athletes and coaches.
• These findings support the widespread use of session-RPE for efficiently measuring internal training load in sports.