Effect Of Different Verbal Commands On Perceptual, Affective And Physiological Performance Responses Of Running In Recreational Runners.

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of different verbal commands on perceptual, affective and physiological performance responses to running. METHODS: Twenty recreational runners participated in the study (male – age: 30.7 ± 10.1 yrs; height: 175.2 ± 8.8 cm; body mass: 74.7 ± 11.7 kg; VO2max 55.3 ± 7.1 ml.kg.min.; HRmax: 189.3 ± 8.5 bpm; treadmill speedmax 15.3 ± 1.1 km.h). All subjects completed four exercise sessions: a familiarization trail; three running sessions consisting of self-select pace defined by one of the verbal commands: low, moderate, high. The information conveyed to subjects were: “I want you to think what it would be for you to run (continuously) at an intensity: low, moderate, high”. “Now, I would like you to self-select 20 minutes of running at an intensity (low/moderate/high)”. These conditions were counterbalanced. Each running session consisted of 20 min. Subjects could adjust the intensity on 1, 5, 10 and 15 min during the exercise. However, at no time, were subjects allowed to have knowledge of the running speed. Affective responses (Feeling Scale) and physiological performance were measured during each exercise session (5, 10, 15 and 20 min). Session RPE (OMNI-RES) were measured 15 min. after each exercise session. RESULTS: The RPE and physiological performance measures increased incrementally according to the running intensity. However, no significant differences were reported in affective responses between low and moderate intensities.Table: No title available.HR: Heart Rate;*Difference between low and moderate intensities; adifference between low and high intensities; & difference between moderate and high intensities. p < 0.01 CONCLUSION: Verbal commands can be used for running exercise prescription with recreational runners. The moderate verbal command can promote greater performance and physiological benefits than low command, without concomitant changes in affective responses.