Effects of Altered Stride Lengths on Ratings of Perceived Exertion during Running

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of stride length variations on ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs) in experienced recreational runners. Twenty-eight male college students were randomly divided into equal-sized treatment and control groups. The treatment group performed five 15 min altered stride length runs, each separated by a minimum of 48 hr. The five trials involved running with a freely chosen stride length (FCSL) and a FCSL altered by +14%, +7%, −14%, and −7%. The control group was utilized to monitor changes in subjects' RPEs as a result of practice effects developed through repeated bouts of treadmill running. Results revealed that the treatment group's local and general RPEs for the over striding runs (+14%, +7%) were significantly greater (p < .01) than RPEs recorded during the FCSL run. Additionally, there was a marginally significant difference (p < .05) in local RPEs between the FCSL run and the extreme understriding run (−14%). Analysis of variance on the control group's RPE data suggests that neither local nor general RPEs changed significantly in repeated FCSL runs across the six-week testing period. The results of this study suggest that experienced recreational runners perceive differences in exertion accompanying changes in stride length.