Reliability of rating scales of perceived exertion and heart rate during progressive and maximal constant load exercises till exhaustion in physical education students.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and estimation of time limit (ETL) scales, and heart rate in physical education students during standardised and replicated progressive and constant load exercises till exhaustion realised on a track. Three groups of ten physical education students who present the same anthropometrical characteristics performed an incremental exercise to determine their maximal aerobic velocity (MAV) on an indoor track. Thereafter, group 1 performed an identical incremental exercise whereas groups 2 and 3 performed two identical exercises to exhaustion: a constant load exercise up to exhaustion at 90 and 100 % MAV, respectively, to determine the time to exhaustion at each intensity (tlim 90 and tlim 100). The results of this study were that MAV, tlim 90 and tlim 100 were not significantly different between the two trials. Moreover, the individual Pearson correlation coefficients between test and retests were very high (0.94 to 1). The slope and y intercept values of the relationships between test and retest perceived exertion ratings were not significantly different from the identity line. Moreover, test-retest differences in HR values fell within the 95 % LoA analysis. Consequently, HR values, RPE and ETL scales are reliable during standardised and replicated progressive and constant load exercises till exhaustion performed on a track with physical education students.