The Use of Session RPE to Monitor the Intensity of Weight Training in Older Women: Acute Responses to Eccentric, Concentric, and Dynamic Exercises

Sandro S Ferreira,Mariana L Benites,Ragami C Alves,Paulo E Redkva,Hassan M Elsangedy,Tácito P Souza-Junior,Kleverton Krinski,Sergio G Da Silva,Cosme F Buzzachera

doi:10.1155/2014/749317

Abstract

The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is ability to detect and interpret organic sensations while performing exercises. This method has been used to measure the level of effort that is felt during weight-training at a given intensity. The purpose of this investigation was to compare session RPE values with those of traditional RPE measurements for different weight-training muscle actions, performed together or separately. Fourteen women with no former weight-training experience were recruited for the investigation. All participants completed five sessions of exercise: familiarization, maximum force, concentric-only (CONC-only), eccentric-only (ECC-only), and dynamic (DYN = CONC + ECC). The traditional RPE method was measured after each series of exercises, and the session RPE was measured 30 min after the end of the training session. The statistical analyses used were the paired t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and repeated measures analysis of variance. Significant differences between traditional RPE and session RPE for DYN, CONC, and ECC exercises were not found. This investigation demonstrated that session RPE is similar to traditional RPE in terms of weight-training involving concentric, eccentric, or dynamic muscle exercises, and that it can be used to prescribe and monitor weight-training sessions in older subjects.

Highlights

Weight training has been commonly recommended for elderly subjects [1, 2]
Muscular tension related to decreases in the muscle length and joint angle is called concentric action (CONC), and when the generation of force causes stretching of the muscle length and angle joint, it is known as eccentric action (ECC) [5]
The corresponding age, anthropometric measurement, and 1RM percentage values for DYN, CONC, and ECC are shown in Table 1 as means ± standard deviations (SD)

Summary

Introduction

Weight training has been commonly recommended for elderly subjects [1, 2] Based on this premise, it is important to consider that weight training is conducted by eccentric, concentric, and isometric muscle actions, which can be performed together or separately [3, 4]. Adjustment and manipulation of each of these variables provide intensity capable of inducing a muscle response according to individual needs [8]. In this sense, developing strategies to measure the intensity utilized for weight training represents a considerable challenge

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