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Is there a different rating of perceived exertion in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus?
Leon Schwensfeier1, Thorsten Kreutz2, Christian Brinkmann1,2
1Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, Department of Preventive and Rehabilitative Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany.
Objective:
Studies show that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) do not engage in regular exercise as often as individuals without T2DM. In addition to numerous barriers to engaging in regular exercise, a different rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during physical activity has been hypothesized to play a role. Therefore, this study investigates whether T2DM affects RPE.
Methods:
RPE values (BORG scale ratings) and heart rate (HR) data were analyzed during an endurance step test (25 W + 25 W every 2 min) at different workloads relative to the individual maximum load (50%, 70% and 90% of peak workload (Wpeak)) in patients with T2DM and in non-diabetic control (CON) subjects (n = 12 in each group). Furthermore, in a larger group of overweight patients with T2DM (n = 81), it was investigated whether glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels correlate with RPE values at the different relative loads.
Results:
Neither RPE nor HR values significantly differed between T2DM and CON subjects at 50%, 70% or 90% of Wpeak. No significant correlations were identified between HbA1c levels and RPE values.
Conclusion:
There is no evidence in our study that T2DM leads to a different perception of physical exertion. Other causes must therefore be responsible for the increased lack of motivation of T2DM patients to engage in regular exercise.
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