Rating Of Perceived Exertion Scale Research Articles

Immediate effects of whole-body vibration exposure on perceived exertion and peripheral hemodynamics in overweight and obese individuals

ABSTRACT Objective The study aim was to investigate the immediate effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure in combination with physical exercises on perceived exertion and peripheral hemodynamic responses in overweight and obese individuals. Methods Thirty-six individuals who were overweight or obese (44% males, mean age = 44.17 (9.43) years, mean BMI = 33.29 (3.19) kg/m2) were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups: control (n = 17) and the WBV (n = 19) group with vibration at 30 Hz and amplitude of 2 mm for a 20-min single vibration session. All participants completed static and dynamic exercises on the sinusoidal-vertical vibration plate but without vibration exposure in the control group. The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE) was used to evaluate perceived exertion. Hemodynamic responses were measured with heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure (aBP) and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the pre-WBV, post-WBV, and the recovery period. Results A prolonged increase in perceived exertion was observed in the WBV group (ES = 0.48, p = 0.025), as compared to the control group (ES = 0.10, p = 0.668) in the recovery period. However, the Borg RPE between-groups comparison showed no significant differences in the pre-WBV, post-WBV, and recovery periods. No significant differences in group-time interaction were found for HR, aBP, and SpO2 hemodynamics. Conclusions WBV exposure had no significant positive effect on perceived exertion and hemodynamic responses in overweight and obese individuals.

Validity and reliability of a Chinese rating of perceived exertion scale in young Mandarin speaking adults

BackgroundThe validity and reliability of the Borg 6–20 rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale has not been tested among Chinese people from Mainland China. The purpose of this study was to test: 1) The validity of Leung Chinese version and Wang Chinese version of the Borg 6–20 RPE scale; 2) The reliability of Wang Chinese version RPE scale; and 3) The agreement of these two Chinese versions of the RPE scale among young healthy adults from Mainland China. MethodsA total of 26 subjects (11 males, 15 females; age 22.7 ± 3.0 yrs) volunteered to participate. They performed one (n = 3), two (n = 14), or three trials (n = 9) of the Bruce treadmill protocol test within 9.0 ± 5.1 days (validation trials), and 30.4 ± 27.9 days (reliability trials). Power output, heart rate, oxygen consumption, and RPE were recorded. ResultsRPE was significantly correlated with power output (Leung version rs ≥ 0.75, Wang version rs ≥ 0.73), heart rate (HR) (Leung version rs ≥ 0.84, Wang version rs ≥ 0.87), and oxygen consumption (VO2) (Leung version rs ≥ 0.80, Wang version rs ≥ 0.81) (all p < 0.01). The overall test-retest interclass correlation was 0.94 (p < 0.01). No significant differences in correlations (RPE against power output, HR and VO2) between trials existed for the reliability tests of Wang version scale. No significant differences in correlations (RPE against power output, HR and VO2) between the two Chinese versions of RPE scale existed. ConclusionBoth Chinese RPE scales are valid among young healthy Chinese mandarin speaking adults. The Wang scale is reliable, and the Leung and Wang scales show superior agreement with each other.

A Comparison of the Armeo to Tabletop-assisted Therapy Exercises as Supplemental Interventions in Acute Stroke Rehabilitation: A Randomized Single Blind Study.

To evaluate the feasibility of an additional therapeutic upper limb exercise (ULE) intervention in early phase post-stroke rehabilitation and to assess outcomes of therapy using the Armeo Spring (ARMEO) versus Therapist-assisted Table Top (TAT) interventions. Randomized, single-blind trial. Stroke acute inpatient rehabilitation unit. Forty-five participants early after first stroke, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) score >8, Modified Ashworth score (MAS) of <3. Participants were randomized to TAT or ARMEO ULE in addition to the required 3 hours of 1:1 standard of care provided in an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF). Completed number of treatments; withdrawals; serious/adverse events; Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor; FIM efficiency; FMA; MAS; elbow active (A) and passive (P) range of motion (ROM); and therapist effort measured by the Modified Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE). Post-intervention FIM and FMA scores increased but did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences between the intervention groups (P = .585, .962, partial n2 = .001, .001, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in post-intervention MAS elbow flexion and extension (P = .332, .252, partial n2 = .009, .007, respectively) and A/P ROM elbow extension between training groups (P = .841, .731, partial n2 = .001, .003, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in post-intervention A/P ROM elbow flexion between groups (P = .031, .018, partial n2 = .123, .146). Post-intervention RPE did not show any statistically significant differences between the training groups (P = .128, partial n2 = .063). Total elbow range showed larger adjusted mean gains for the ARMEO. No serious adverse events were reported. This study demonstrates that additional therapeutic ULE in the early phase of post-stroke inpatient rehabilitation is feasible and that both interventions showed positive changes in selected outcomes.

Effect Of Different Rating Of Perceived Exertions On The Muscle Strength In Breast Cancer Survivors

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of resistance training (RT) with a higher rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and lower RPE on the muscle strength of upper limbs in breast cancer survivors (BCS). METHODS: Twenty-six BCS women (age: 56.07 ± 6.94 years old; body mass: 68.32 ± 11.16 kg) undergoing hormonal therapy, performed eight weeks of RT once a week with high supervision ratio (one trainer per volunteer). RT protocol was three sets of 8 to 12 repetitions, with a 2-min rest interval between sets, until volitional muscle failure, on the bench press (BP). RPE scale (0-10) was assessed after each set. After eight weeks, the BCS were categorized into two groups using the average of RPE, lower than 7 (< 7) and higher than 7 (≥ 7). The muscle strength was assessed by the 10-repetitions maximum (10-RM) test on the BP, and then normalized by body mass (kg/BM). A repeated measurement ANOVA with the Bonferroni post hoc tests was used to examine differences between muscle strength changes. RESULTS: After eight weeks of RT, 12 women reported RPE < 7 (6.12 ± 0.56) and 14 women reported RPE ≥ 7 (7.78 ± 0.49). There was no difference found at baseline (p = 0.23): 10-RM normalized was 0.27 ± 0.06 and 0.24 ± 0.05, for RPE < 7 and RPE ≥ 7, respectively. BCS who reported lower or higher RPE improved their 10-RM by ∆ 19 ± 12 % and ∆ 23% ± 14% (p< 0.0001), respectively, and no difference was found between groups (p = 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: The improvement in muscle strength of BCS seems is not related to higher or lower RPE, both levels of effort generated similar gains. Suggesting that RPE is not the main factor for improving muscle strength in this population. Further studies analyzing the differences between upper and lower RPE in upper muscle strength are needed.

Submaximal Exercise Does Not Increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) In People With Spinal Cord Injury

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in repair and regeneration of peripheral neurons, and is important for brain health. Acute exercise (EX) increases circulating BDNF in an intensity dependent manner in able-bodied individuals. However, the response of BDNF to EX in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) is poorly understood. PURPOSE: to investigate the hypothesis that submaximal EX will increase serum and plasma BDNF in people with SCI. METHODS: Nine adults with SCI participated (M age = 39.2 ± 11.0 years; M years post-injury = 16.5 ± 9.2). After completing a maximal exercise test on an electromagnetically braked arm-crank ergometer to determine peak power output (PPO), participants completed two visits in randomized order: 1) submaximal EX (30 minutes maintaining 55-65 rpm @ 60% PPO); and 2) seated control (CTL). Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during EX using the 6-20 visual Borg RPE scale. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured pre- and post-EX. BDNF was measured via ELISA in both serum and plasma from venous blood sampled at pre-, post-, and 90 min post-EX. For the CTL visit, participants rested quietly for 120 min and blood was sampled at equivalent time points to EX. A 2-factor repeated measures ANOVA was computed to assess BDNF responses by time and condition. Paired t-tests were computed to assess HR and BP responses to EX. Pearson correlations were computed to explore relationships between BDNF and physiological responses to EX and work rate. RESULTS: The average EX work rate was 47 ± 17 W and RPE was 13 ± 1. HR increased by 26 ± 33 bpm (+41%; p=0.059), whereas systolic and diastolic BP remained unchanged after EX. Contrary to our hypotheses, EX had no effect on serum (Pre vs. Post-EX = 22447.9 ± 9071.1 pg/mL vs. 26552.8 ± 6563.4 pg/mL; F(1,12) = 0.51, p=0.53) or plasma (Pre vs. Post-EX = 1802.7 ± 1031.1 vs. 1662.7 ± 1390.0 pg/mL; F(1,10) = 0.77, p=0.45) BDNF. Exploratory correlational analyses showed no relationships between changes in BDNF and the outlined parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Submaximal EX did not increase BDNF in people with SCI. Future studies should systematically investigate BDNF responses to higher EX intensities given the intensity-dependent response in able-bodied people. FUNDING: Rick Hansen Foundation through the Blusson Integrated Cures Partnership.

Comparison of College Students' Blood Pressure, Perceived Exertion, and Psychosocial Outcomes During Virtual Reality, Exergaming, and Traditional Exercise: An Exploratory Study

Objective: Integrating novel technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), into traditional exercise apparatuses (e.g., stationary bikes) may assist in promoting physical activity (PA) participation among young adults. Therefore, this study's purpose was to examine young adults' systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) change (BPpost - BPpre), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), enjoyment, and self-efficacy during VR, exergaming, and traditional stationary cycling sessions. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine college students (34 females; Mage = 23.6 ± 3.4 years; MBMI = 23.8 ± 3.1 kg/m2) participated in three separate 20-minute stationary cycling sessions: (1) PlayStation 4 VR; (2) Xbox 360 exergaming; and (3) traditional stationary cycling. Participants' systolic and diastolic BP change was measured by using an Omron HEM-705CP digital BP cuff. Further, RPE was assessed by using the modified Borg RPE Scale and enjoyment and self-efficacy were evaluated by using validated questionnaires. Results: A multivariate analysis of variance indicated significant differences for systolic BP change, RPE, enjoyment, and self-efficacy between the three cycling sessions (F(2, 144) = 3.3-32.4, P < 0.05, [Formula: see text] = 0.04-0.3). Specifically, participants had significantly higher enjoyment and self-efficacy and lower RPE during VR cycling compared with the other two cycling sessions despite similar or higher change systolic BP during the VR cycling session. There was no statistically significant change in diastolic BP between the three cycling sessions (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Incorporating VR equipment with traditional stationary cycle ergometers may be favorable when seeking to promote enjoyable PA in college students. To further support VR exercise's efficacy, future studies with more rigorous research designs are warranted.

Pain intensity and pressure pain thresholds after a light dynamic physical load in patients with chronic neck-shoulder pain

BackgroundTo investigate the development of pain intensity and pressure pain thresholds during and 24 h after a light dynamic physical load among patients with chronic neck-shoulder pain.MethodsTwenty-six patients with chronic neck-shoulder pain and 12 healthy controls were included. The participants arm-cycled on an ergometer. Effort was rated with the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale (RPE), and pain intensity with an numeric rating scale (NRS). Pressure pain thresholds were measured by an algometer. Participants started a pain diary 1 week before the physical exercise and continued until 1 week after. Pain intensity was assessed before, during and the following two evenings after arm-cycling. Pressure pain thresholds were assessed before, 15 min after, 105 min after and 24 h after.ResultsThe chronic pain group showed increased pain intensity during, and the following two evenings after the arm cycling, and decreased pain thresholds immediately after the arm cycling involving painful regions. In the patient group there were no impact on pain thresholds in the neck the following day.ConclusionsPatients with chronic neck-shoulder pain reported increased pain intensity during and in the evenings after a light dynamic load involving painful regions. In addition, they showed decreased pain thresholds close to the exercise, indicating mechanical hyperalgesia.

Retired Elite Athletes' Physical Activity, Physiological, and Psychosocial Outcomes During Single- and Double-Player Exergaming.

McDonough, DJ, Pope, ZC, Zeng, N, Lee, JE, and Gao, Z. Retired elite athletes' physical activity, physiological, and psychosocial outcomes during single- and double-player exergaming. J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3220-3225, 2019-Elite athletes (i.e., athletes who play sport professionally) are a population who commonly exceed recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines and have higher health statuses compared with the general population. However, elite athletes transitioning into retirement often become physically inactive given they no longer require long hours of training and competition, and their physiological and psychosocial health suffers as a result. Therefore, this study's purpose was to examine differences in retired elite athletes' acute PA, physiological, and psychosocial outcomes during single- and double-player exergaming. Twenty retired Olympic athletes (18 females; (Equation is included in full-text article.)= 27.3 ± 4.3 years) participated in 2 separate 20-minute exergaming sessions (a): Xbox 360 Reflex Ridge single player and (b) Xbox 360 Reflex Ridge double player. Subjects' situational interest, enjoyment, and self-efficacy were examined using validated questionnaires; rating of perceived exertion (RPE) using the modified Borg RPE scale; and moderate-to-vigorous PA, steps, and energy expenditure tracked using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Repeated-measures analysis of variances revealed no significant differences for any outcome between the 2 exercise sessions except for RPE (F (1, 38) = 4.6; p < 0.05; η = 0.11), which was higher in the single-player session compared with the double-player session (10.3 ± 2.3; 8.7 ± 1.6, respectively). Observations indicated double-player exergaming to be perceived as less intense than single-player exergaming despite similar PA and physiological outcomes, suggesting retired elite athletes may better adhere to exergaming in a double-player mode.

Does the moon cycle affect the physical endurance, balance, reaction-time, mood state and well-being in trained athletes?

Fascination with the moon has spanned millennia. It has recently been asserted that the moon cycle affects endurance performance in untrained individuals. The present study aimed at investigating the effects of the lunar cycle on intermittent endurance physical performance, balance and reaction-time capabilities, and selected physiological and psychological parameters in trained athletes. Twelve male Taekwondo athletes (age, 22.3±0.8 years; height, 178.8±6.5 cm; body mass, 72.75±7.28 kg; %body fat, 13.9±3.6%) performed the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level-1 (YYIRT), the Y-balance test (YBT), and a reaction-time test (RT) during different lunar cycle phases (new moon (NM), full moon (FM), and half-moon). Participants' psychological profiles and well-being indices (i.e. a profile of mood state (POMS) and Hooper Index) were also taken during each moon phase. The testing sessions during the different moon phases were performed in a counterbalanced order. The tests order remained the same (POMS, then Hooper index, RT, YBT, YYIRT and rating of perceived exertion scale (RPE)), and all sessions were performed at noon (11:00 to 13:00 h) during the first day of each evaluated lunar phase. Analysis of variance tests showed that no significant differences were found between the three moon phases in all analyzed variables. This study showed that the different lunar cycle phases did not have significant effects on the selected physical performances and psychological indices in trained athletes.

Ratings of perceived recovery and exertion in elite youth soccer players: Interchangeability of 10-point and 100-point scales

The purpose of this study was to examine the interchangeability of a new perceived recovery status scale (PRS) of 100 points through a comparison to the original 10-point version. This study also aimed to test the interchangeability of CR100 scale (Borg's rate of perceived exertion scale) in comparison to the CR10. Twenty-five male elite youth soccer players (age: 18.0 ± 0.5 years old; body mass: 70.1 ± 6.7 kg; height: 177.8 ± 6.5 cm; experience: 11.7 ± 1.2 years) from the same team competing in the first national under-19 competition participated in this study. During two consecutive weeks, the players completed PRS (both 10- and 100-points) and CR10 and CR100 scales. Nearly perfect relationships were observed between 0-to-10 and 0-to-100 scales, both for recovery status (r = 0.96, confidence interval [0.95;0.97]) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) (r = 0.97 [0.97;0.98]). Moreover, almost 95% of individuals showed nearly-perfect-to-perfect associations between 0-to-10 and 0-to100 in terms of RPE and recovery scales. Both a PRS of 100 points and CR100 can be used interchangeably with a PRS of 10 points and CR10, respectively.

Examination of the comfort and pain experienced with blood flow restriction training during post-surgery rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients: A UK National Health Service trial

ObjectiveExamine the comfort and pain experienced with blow flow restriction resistance training (BFR-RT) compared to standard care heavy load resistance training (HL-RT) during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) patient rehabilitation. DesignRandomised controlled trial. SettingUnited Kingdom National Health Service. ParticipantsTwenty eight patients undergoing unilateral ACLR surgery with hamstring autograft were recruited. Following surgery participants were block randomised to either HL-RT at 70% repetition maximum (1RM) (n = 14) or BFR-RT (n = 14) at 30% 1RM and completed 8 weeks of twice weekly unilateral leg press training on both limbs. Main outcome measuresPerceived knee pain, muscle pain and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed using Borg’s (1998) RPE and pain scales during training. Knee pain was also assessed 24 h post-training. ResultsThere were no adverse events. Knee pain was lower with BFR-RT during (p < 0.05) and at 24 h post-training (p < 0.05) with BFR-RT for all sessions. Muscle pain was higher (p < 0.05) with BFR-RT compared to HL-RT during all sessions. RPE remained unchanged (p > 0.05) for both BFR-RT and HL-RT. ConclusionACLR patients experienced less knee joint pain and reported similar ratings of perceived exertion during and following leg press exercise with BFR-RT compared to traditional HL-RT. BFR-RT may be more advantageous during the early phases of post-surgery ACLR rehabilitation.

Efficacy of the Repetitions in Reserve-Based Rating of Perceived Exertion for the Bench Press in Experienced and Novice Benchers.

Ormsbee, MJ, Carzoli, JP, Klemp, A, Allman, BR, Zourdos, MC, Kim, J-S, and Panton, LB. Efficacy of the repetitions in reserve-based rating of perceived exertion for the bench press in experienced and novice benchers. J Strength Cond Res 33(2): 337-345, 2019-Autoregulation (AR) is the practice of adjusting training variables in response to athlete feedback. One component of AR postulated to enhance resistance training adaptations involves implementing a resistance training-specific rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale measuring repetitions in reserve (RIR). The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of this method using the bench press exercise. Twenty-seven college-aged men were assigned to one of 2 groups based on training age: experienced benchers (EB) (n = 14, training age: 4.7 ± 2.0 years) and novice benchers (NB) (n = 13, training age: 1.1 ± 0.6 years). Subjects performed 1 repetition maximum (1RM) followed by single-repetition sets with loads corresponding to 60, 75, and 90% of 1RM and an 8-repetition set at 70% of 1RM. Subjects reported a corresponding RPE, based on RIR, for every set. Average velocity was recorded for each single-repetition set along with the first and last repetitions of the 8-repetition set at 70% of 1RM. Average velocity at 100% of 1RM in EB was slower (0.14 ± 0.04 m·s) compared with NB (0.20 ± 0.05 m·s) (p < 0.001). Experienced benchers recorded greater RPE than NB at 1RM (EB: 9.86 ± 0.14 vs. NB: 9.35 ± 0.36) (p = 0.011). No between-group differences existed for average velocity or RPE at any other intensity. Both EB (r = 0.85, p < 0.001) and NB (r = 0.85, p < 0.001) had strong inverse significant correlations between average velocity and RPE at all intensities. Our findings suggest that the RIR-based RPE scale may be an efficacious approach for AR of bench press training load and volume in college-aged men.

Effects of an individualized rehabilitation program prescribed by perceived exertion in women with metabolic syndrome

PURPOSE: This study examined if the rating scale of perceived exertion (RPE ) could be used to prescribe an individualized exercise intensity at the crossover point (COP ) of substrate utilization and monitor such an individualized rehabilitation program in women with metabolic syndrome (MS). Secondly, the study investigated the effects of such a program. METHODS: Nineteen women were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of rehabilitation, which was individualized at RPE corresponding to their respective COP determined by indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: The women succeeded in regulating the exercise intensity using the targeted RPE (11.7±2.8 corresponding to 40±15 W) during the training program. Moreover, the rehabilitation program at RPE corresponding to the COP perceived between light and moderate by these women was sufficient to improve the metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors defining MS as well as the physical fitness in these women. Finally, this program, which allowed for a decrease in the prevalence of MS (-33%), was associated with a very high level of adhesion and compliance. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that an individualized aerobic rehabilitation program using target RPE seems to be effective and tolerable in women with MS.

Comparison of rating of perceived exertion scales during incremental and interval exercise

The Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is an important measure of exercise intensity, which is useful both as a primary and adjunctive method of exercise prescription. However, there are multiple variants of the Borg RPE scale, primarily the Borg 6-20 RPE scale (BORG-RPE) and the Borg Category-Ratio-10 scale (BORG-CR10). There are inadequate data available to address the comparability and interchangeability of these two widely used scales. Well-trained non-athletes performed two increment cycle tests, with each scale used in a random sequence. Subjects also performed interval sessions at three intensities (50, 75 and 85% of peak power output) with each scale used in a random sequence. There were very large correlations during the incremental exercise between the conventional physiological measures (% heart rate reserve – r=0.89 &amp;amp; r=.87); and %VO2reserve (r=.88 &amp;amp; r=.90) and RPE measured by either the BORG-RPE or the BORGCR10, respectively. This pattern was also evident during the interval exercise (% heart rate reserve (r=.85 &amp;amp; r=.84; and blood lactate concentration – r=.74 &amp;amp; r=.78) and RPE measured by either the BORG-RPE or the BORG-CR10, respectively. The relationship between RPE measured by the BORG-RPE and the BORGCR10 was large and best described by a non-linear relationship for both the incremental (R2=89) and the interval (R2=.89) exercise. The incremental and interval curves were virtually overlapping. We concluded that the two most popular versions of the RPE scale, BORG-RPE and BORG-CR10, were both highly related to the conventional physiological measures and very strongly related to each other, with an easily described conversion.

The Role of Exercise-Induced Arousal and Exposure to Blue-Enriched Lighting on Vigilance.

It is currently assumed that exposure to an artificial blue-enriched light enhances human alertness and task performance, but recent research has suggested that behavioral effects are influenced by the basal state of arousal. Here, we tested whether the effect of blue-enriched lighting on vigilance performance depends on participants’ arousal level. Twenty-four participants completed four sessions (blue-enriched vs. dim light × low vs. high arousal) at 10 pm on four consecutive days, following a repeated-measures design. Participants’ arousal was manipulated parametrically through the execution of a cycling task at two intensities (low vs. moderate), and was checked by monitoring their heart rate. On each session, distal and proximal skin temperatures were recorded as a neuroergonomic index of vigilance, while participants performed a 20-min psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) under either blue-enriched light or dim light conditions. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), and Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE) were used to measure subjective psychological state. The results showed that the exercise-induced manipulation of arousal produced robust alerting effects in most measures, while the lighting manipulation only attenuated subjective sleepiness and enhanced positive affect, but it did not influence behavior or physiology. Acute exposure to a blue-enriched light was practically ineffective when the arousal level was over baseline. The present research favored the use of acute physical exercise over acute exposure to blue-enriched lighting in order to boost humans’ alertness when necessary, as in work settings where maintaining optimal levels of attention is difficult (shift work, night-work, vigilance tasks) and necessary to prevent human error and accidents.

Face scale rating of perceived exertion during cardiopulmonary exercise test

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the correlation between the face scale and heart rate (HR), exercise load and oxygen uptake (V̇O2) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing.MethodsThis was a prospective, observational study...

Carbohydrate Supplementation Does Not Improve 10 km Swimming Intermittent Training.

The aim of the present study was to test the effectiveness of carbohydrate (CHO) feeding supplemented every 2.5-km, as in official races, on the performance, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and glycaemia during a 10-km intermittent training workout in elite open-water swimmers. A randomized crossover design was used. Participants completed two 10-km intermittent training sessions (20 × 500-m). The relative velocity was expressed in percentage of a single 500-m. Glycaemia was monitored by continuous glucose monitoring. Participants had to ingest either 1 L of tap water (WAT; 0.50 L·h−1) or 120 g of CHO in the form of 8% solution (60 g·h−1). The 15-point RPE scale was used during the trials. A two-way ANOVA for repeated measures was performed (p < 0.05). The relative velocity of each 500-m was not significantly different between the two trials. No significant differences emerged in the relative velocity of the last 500-m between trials. Average RPE was not statistically different between the two trials (11 ± 3 in WAT and 12 ± 3 in CHO). In the last 500-m, glycaemia was significantly higher in the CHO trial (5.92 ± 0.47 mmol·L−1 in CHO; 5.61 ± 0.61 mmol·L−1 in WAT). CHO ingestion did not improve performance or affect RPE during a 10-km intermittent training in elite open-water swimmers.

Modulation of macrophage polarization by level-1 Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test in young football players.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the level-1 Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (YYIRT1) on polarization of macrophages in young football players.Fourteen male football players (19.9 ± 1.4 years old) were enrolled in this study. YYIRT1 was performed with 20-meter shuttle runs at increasing speeds and 10-second active recovery in a 5-meter distance between runs till exhaustion. Fasting blood samples were collected before and immediately after YYIRT1. Analysis for macrophage polarization by flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) by flow cytometry, biochemical parameters by chemical reactions, and serum cytokines by ELISA were performed. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and cardiovascular parameters were recorded.The time to exhaustion was 714.1 ± 114.4 seconds. The oxygen uptake () was 48.7 ± 5.6 mL/min/kg, RPE scale was 19 ± 1, resting heart rate and maximal heart rate were 64.9 ± 8.8 beat/min and 181.9 ± 9.3 beat/min, respectively, indicating a high level of cardiopulmonary fitness. The expression of macrophage-specific CD14 and M1 marker HLA-ABC, but not M2 marker CD206, was down-regulated after YYIRT1. The intracellular ROS levels in macrophages had no significant change. In biochemical profile, the serum levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), a marker of muscle damage, increased after YYIRT1 whereas no significant alteration was noted in creatine phosphokinase (CPK), blood urine nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and C-reactive protein. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α had no significant change.The YYIRT1 may induce muscle damage accompanied by modulation of macrophage polarization toward suppression of M1 phenotype in young football players.

Lower occlusion pressure during resistance exercise with blood-flow restriction promotes lower pain and perception of exercise compared to higher occlusion pressure when the total training volume is equalized.

Low-intensity resistance exercise with blood-flow restriction (BFR) promotes similar adaptations to high-intensity resistance exercise (HI-RE). Interestingly, BFR has been demonstrated to be effective for a wide range of occlusion pressures. However, the occlusion pressure magnitude may alter the psychophysiological stress related to BFR as measured by rating of perceived exertion scale (RPE) and rating of pain. We aimed to compare the RPE and pain levels across different magnitudes of occlusion pressures, promoting new knowledge regarding occlusion pressure on stress related to BFR. All BFR protocols ranging between 40% and 80% of total arterial occlusion (BFR40, BFR50, BFR60, BFR70, and BFR80) were compared to HI-RE in 12 participants using a randomized and crossover design 72h apart. BFR protocols and HI-RE were performed with 30% and 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) test value, respectively. RPE and pain levels were measured before exercise and immediately after each set. BFR protocols (i.e.,BFR40 and BFR50) presented overall lower RPE response compared to higher-pressure BFR (i.e.,BFR70 and BFR80) and HI-RE conditions. For pain levels, low-pressure BFRs (i.e.,BFR40 and BFR50), and HI-RE showed lower values than high-pressure BFR protocols (i.e.,BFR60, BFR70, and BFR80). In conclusion, low-pressure BFR protocols promote lower RPE and pain compared to high-pressure BFR protocols (between 60% and 80% of occlusion pressure), when total training volume (TTV) is equalized. In addition, HI-RE promotes similar levels of pain, but higher RPE than low-pressure BFR, probably due to the higher TTV.

Acute Hormonal Response to Kettlebell Swing Exercise Differs Depending on Load, Even When Total Work Is Normalized.

Raymond, LM, Renshaw, D, and Duncan, MJ. Acute hormonal response to kettlebell swing exercise differs depending on load, even when total work is normalized. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 997-1005, 2021-This study examined the acute hormonal response to kettlebell (KB) swing exercise using 2 loads, but when total work was equalized. Ten strength-trained males (25 ± 6 years) completed 2 KB swing trials, with an 8- and 16-kg KB, respectively, in a counterbalanced order. Each protocol lasted 12 minutes comprising 30-second KB swings followed by 30-second rest. Swing cadence was manipulated in each trial to ensure that total weight lifted was the same across conditions. Heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), using the Borg RPE scale 6-20, were taken at the end of each 30-second exercise period. Saliva samples (min 0.5 ml) were taken 15 minutes before, immediately after, and 15 and 30 minutes after each condition from which cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) were determined. Results indicated a significant main effect for load for C (p = 0.007) and T (p = 0.05) where higher values for both C and T were evident for the 16-kg load. There was also a significant main effect for time for T (p = 0.001), where T values were all significantly higher post-exercise compared with pre-exercise. For HR, there were significant main effects for load (p = 0.004) and time (p = 0.001) with higher HR seen in 16-kg load and significant increases in HR evident with increasing repetition, irrespective of condition (all p < 0.05). Rating of perceived exertion values increased with repetition for the 8-kg and 16-kg loads, but the increase was more marked for the 16-kg load compared with the 8-kg load (p = 0.002). The present findings suggest that KB swing exercise produces an acute increase in hormones involved in muscle adaptation, but that KB load influences this response, even when total work completed is the same.