Perceived exertion threshold: Comparison with ventilatory thresholds and critical power

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to provide concurrent validity evidences to perceived exertion threshold (PET) by comparing and establishing relationships with aerobic fitness parameters derived from square-wave and incremental tests. Methods Eleven male college students performed one incremental test to determine first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT 1 and VT 2, respectively), maximal oxygen uptake ( V O 2max ), and maximal aerobic power (MAP); four predictive trials for the critical power (CP) and PET estimations. Results Oxygen consumption ( V O 2 ) at VT 1 and VT 2 were 22.9 ± 4.2 and 35.8 ± 4.7 ml/kg per minute, respectively. The MAP and V O 2max were 267 ± 34 W and 40.3 ± 6.3 ml/kg per minute, respectively. The PET (146 ± 31 W) and CP (146 ± 33 W) did not differ from each other, and both estimates were between VT 1 (121 ± 28 W) and VT 2 (228 ± 36 W). The correlations between PET and CP, expressed in relative terms to body mass, were significant ( P < 0.01, r = 0.84). The correlations between PET and relative V O 2 at VT 1 ( r = 0.76), VT 2 ( r = 0.72) and V O 2max ( r = 0.73) were significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusion PET did not significantly differ from CP, and presented significant correlations with VT 1, VT 2 and V O 2max derived from incremental test. Thus, it can be considered as a valid measure of aerobic capacity.