Session Perceived Exertion Following Traditional and Circuit Resistance Exercise Methods in Older Hypertensive Women

This study compared session ratings of perceived exertion (SRPE) between traditional multiple-set (TR) and circuit (CI) resistance exercise methods in treated hypertensive women. Fourteen volunteers (69.9 ± 5.6 years) performed two training sessions (TR and CI) in a random order, with the same number of sets, exercises, and loads. SRPE was obtained 30 minutes following each session using Foster's scale. OMNI-resistance exercise scale (OMNI-RES) measures were subsequently taken. Foster's SRPE was not significantly different between sessions (3.8 ± 0.9 TR vs. 3.4 ± 1.0 CI; p = .125), but OMNI-RES values were significantly higher following TR than following CI (5.2 ± 1.3 vs. 4.6 ± 1.5; p = .033). Total session duration was longer for TR (29.3 ± 1.2 vs. 20.0 ± 0.9 minutes; p < .001). Using moderate loads, the CI method did not elicit higher SRPE when compared with TR. Conversely, significantly lower OMNI-RES values follow CI. These results will be useful for prescribing exercise regimens for older hypertensive women.