Effect Of Teleoanticipation On Intensity Self-regulation Error During Cycle Exercise In Females

Abstract

A teleoanticipation practice trial is hypothesized to reduce exercise intensity self-regulation error. Self-regulation error occurs when a prescribed oxygen consumption (VO2) is not attained. In addition to teleoanticipation, cognitive feedback (CF) provides guidance in subjectively adjusting exercise intensity to produce a Target rating of perceived exertion (RPE), further reducing self-regulation errors. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of teleoanticipation with and without CF on intensity self-regulation error during cycle exercise in females. METHODS:: Thirty-one recreationally-active females (mean age: 21.6±3.1 yrs; mean VO2peak: 35.5±4.8 mL·kg-1·-1) were randomly assigned to three groups. Group 1 (N = 13) and Group 2 (N = 9) completed four separate exercise trials presented in the following order: 1) Estimation, 2) Just Noticeable Difference (JND), 3) Calibration (Teleoanticipation), 4) Production. Calibration and Production trials were 21 minutes with subjects instructed to regulate intensity to produce a target RPE of 5 (OMNI 0-10 Scale). During the Calibration, CF was provided to Group 1 but not to Group 2. Group 3 (Control; N = 9) completed the Estimation, JND and Production trials. The VO2 analog of each subject's perceived exertion JND was used to identify self-regulation error, i.e. VO2 above or below the JND-VO2 range. The unsigned value was then calculated as the total mean error (ΔVO2; L·min-1). RESULTS: Total mean error for responses across the Production trial was: With CF = 0.09±0.014; Without CF = 0.17±0.017; Control = 0.11±0.017. The "error" was: a) lower for With CF than Without CF (p<0.05); b) lower for Control than Without CF (p<0.05); c) equal between With CF and Control. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the female cohort contrasted from a previous investigation involving male subjects. However, similar general conclusions were derived for the female subjects. A teleoanticipation calibration trial with cognitive feedback improved ability to self-regulate intensity at a target RPE of 5 during 21 minutes of cycle exercise. The self-regulation error was similar between the With CF and Control group. For young females, self-regulation practice may be all that is required to produce a Target RPE during cycling.