MONITORING EXERCISE TRAINING

Abstract

Classification(s): Exercise Physiology; Exercise Training Introduction: Although there are established guidelines for exercise training, understanding the exercise training response requires an integration of the intensity and duration of training. For heart rate (HR) based methods of exercise prescription, this is particularly important since HR is not usually maintained at a constant level. Purpose: This study compared a HR based method of evaluating training based on HR zones with the session RPE method. Design: Laboratory correlated observational study. Methods: Healthy volunteers (age 18–60) (n = 27) including fitness participants and athletes performed laboratory testing to define Vo2 (55.2 + 11.0 ml/kg) and HR (173 + 12 bpm) during maximal exercise and at ventilatory threshold (VT) (36.6 + 4.3 ml/kg and 138 + 11 bpm) and respiratory compensation threshold (RCT) (46.9 + 9.0 ml/kg and 154 + 10 bpm). Training (∼30 sessions/subject; 844 total sessions) was monitored using radio telemetry and using the session RPE method to quantitate the training impulse (TRIMPS) from HR and session RPE methods. Multiple regression was used to predict the relative importance of time in each of the zones to the session RPE. Results: Training values averaged: session duration (66 + 51 min), session RPE (4.1 + 2.1), TRIMPSRPE (304 + 379) Zone1time (46 + 36 min), Zone2time (17 + 24 min), Zone3time (4 + 9 min), and TRIMPSHR (93 + 79). The regression equation for predicting TRIMPSRPE = 4.34 * Z1 + 8.78 * Z1 + 11.32 * Z3 = 94.3 (R2 = 0.80, SEE = 160). Conclusions: The results suggest HR Zone and Session RPE methods of monitoring exercise training are well related and can be used alternatively. Based on the size of the weightings, if Zone 1 = 1 point, then Zone 2 = 2.01 points, and Zone 3 = 2.61 points.