Using perceived exertion to prescribe and monitor exercise training heart rate

We examined whether feedback of heart rate (HR) or HR combined with ratings of perceived exertion (RPE and HR) during a graded exercise test (GXT) and during early trials of field training would reduce the errors commonly seen when training heart rate range (THR) is self-monitored by participants. Asymptomatic males (n = 24) were tested on a Balke treadmill protocol in a randomized, between-groups design under control conditions or conditions where feedback about HR or HR combined with RPE were given as age-predicted THR was approximated. This was followed on alternating days by three field trials of an 800-m jog where errors between prescribed and attained THR were fed back to each subject. A priori 95% confidence intervals for the first field trial showed that signed (algebraic) error for the HR combined with RPE condition (+3 bts/min) was less than for controls (+23.5 bts/min). Feedback of HR alone was no different from the control condition. All groups showed increased accuracy (P less than .05) by the third field trial [absolute error: T1 (18 bts/min) to T3 (9.6 bts/min); signed error: T1 (+14 bts/min) to T3 (+4 bts/min)]. Our results suggest feedback of HR combined with RPE during a GXT may reduce an overshoot in THR during the first of subsequent exercise sessions. Feedback of HR alone appeared sufficient to further reduce THR errors after a third exercise session in the field. The procedures used may have practical importance for sedentary, unfit, or diseased individuals where conservative HR prescriptions are desirable but electronic monitoring is not feasible or cost effective.