Regulating exercise intensity using ratings of perceived exertion during arm and leg ergometry

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the validity of regulating exercise intensity using ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs) during arm crank and leg cycle exercise at 50 and 70% peak oxygen consumption ((V) over dot O-2peak) Ten men and seven women [26 (1) years old; mean (SE)] participated in this study. Each subject completed a maximal estimation trial and two submaximal exercise bouts (production trials) on both an arm and leg ergometer. During each maximal estimation trial, subjects were asked to give a RPE for each stage of the exercise. RPEs, heart rates (HR), and power outputs (PO) equivalent to 50 and 70% (V) over dot O-2peak for each exercise mode were then estimated from plots of RPE versus oxygen consumption ((V) over dot O-2), HR versus (V) over dot O-2, and PO versus (V) over dot O-2 respectively. During the submaximal trials, subjects were instructed to select workloads on an arm and leg ergometer that produced the previously estimated RPEs. Comparisons were made for (V) over dot O-2, HR, and PO between the estimation and production trials for each mode at each exercise intensity. HR did not differ between the trials at either 50 or 70% (V) over dot O-2peak during arm and leg ergometry. In addition, (V) over dot O-2 and PO did not differ between the trials at either 50 or 70% (V) over dot O-2peak during arm ergometry and at 50% (V) over dot O-2peak during leg ergometry. However, these two parameters were lower (P < 0.05) during the production trial [1.88(0.15) 1 min(-1) and 89.1 (10.1)W, respectively] as compared to the estimation trial [2.08(0.14)1 min(-1) and 102.4 (6.5)W, respectively] during leg ergometry at 70% (V) over dot O-2peak In conclusion, using RPEs to regulate exercise intensity is physiologically valid during arm ergometry at both 50 and 70% (V) over dot O-2peak and during leg ergometry at 50% (V) over dot O-2peak However, this prescriptive approach remains questionable during leg cycle exercise at 70% (V) over dot O-2peak.