Evaluation of Anticipation Bias for RPE During A Cycle Ergometer Perceptual Production Protocol

Abstract

Anticipation bias (AB) may occur during perceptual production (self-regulated) exercise protocols if an individual uses a previously produced target rating of perceived exertion (RPE) as a cognitive reference to influence the production of subsequent target RPE's. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate AB for RPE during a load incremented cycle ergometer perceptual production protocol in men. METHODS: Twenty-two college age (20.3 ± 1.3 yrs), recreationally active males completed both a load-incremented (LI) and intermittent (I) cycle ergometer perceptual production protocol in counterbalanced order. The I protocol served as the criterion measure in order to evaluate AB in the LI protocol. Both protocols consisted of three, 4 minute stages and required self-regulation of exercise intensity in order to produce target RPE's of 3, 5, and 7 on the Adult OMNI-RPE Scale. The I protocol required subjects to self-regulate exercise intensity to produce target RPE's of 3, 5, and 7 in a counterbalanced order with 5 minute recovery periods between each production stage. VO2, HR and power output (PO) were measured during the last minute of each target RPE stage. RESULTS: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found for VO2, HR, and PO between the LI and I cycle ergometer perceptual production protocols at target RPE's of 3, 5, and 7. CONCLUSIONS: The use of RPE to self-regulate exercise intensity is not influenced by anticipation bias during load-incremented cycle ergometer production protocols in recreationally active men. Furthermore, these results are in agreement with previous research that demonstrated an absence of anticipation bias during perceptual production protocols in young women (Fonzi, et al. 2007).Table: Caption not available