Rating of perceived exertion in maximal incremental tests during head-out water-based aerobic exercises

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe present study aimed to assess the relationship between rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and percentage of peak oxygen uptake () during three head-out water-based aerobic exercises. In addition, the RPE at the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) was also compared among them. Twenty young women performed head-out water-based maximal tests for the exercises stationary running (SR), frontal kick (FK) and cross-country skiing (CCS). RPE was monitored during the tests and the values corresponding to VT2 and training zones corresponding to 50–59%, 60–69%, 70–79%, 80–89% and were determined. Regression analysis, descriptive statistics and ANOVA with repeated measures were used. Significant relationships were observed between the RPE and (r = 0.858–0.893; P < 0.001) for all head-out water-based aerobic exercises. Average RPE ranged from 12.1–12.7 in the training zone corresponding to 50–59%, from 13.7–14.8 to 60–69%, from 15.8–16.4 to 70–79%, from 17.3–18.1 to 80–89% and from 18.5–18.9 to . No significant differences were found among the three head-out water-based aerobic exercises at VT2 (P > 0.05; SR: 16.1 ± 0.9, FK: 16.7 ± 1.5, CCS: 15.9 ± 1.3). The results support the use of RPE to control the relative intensity of training during head-out water-based aerobic exercises and indicate values near to 16–17 when targeting VT2 intensity for young women.