RPE Values Research Articles

The Self Selected Speed of Running in Recreational Long Distance Runners

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the self selected speed in running (vss) is dependent upon the same factors that determine maximal speed in endurance events (e. g. the anaerobic threshold). Experiments were carried out on 8 recreational long distance runners (42.1 +/- 8.6 years of age, 70.1 +/- 10.6 kg of body mass, 1.74 +/- 0.06 m of body height) while they were participating in a 14 day relay race. During the "race" the subjects were not requested to perform maximally but only to cover their running turn (1 hour per day) at their preferred pace. The relationships between heart rate (HR), perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate concentration ([La]b) and speed (v) were determined in each subject, before the race, during an incremental running test. From these relationships the speed corresponding to a 4 mM concentration of lactate in blood (v4mM) was calculated and found to be 14.3 +/- 1.8 km x h(-1) (n = 8). At this speed the RPE and HR values were 13.6 +/- 1.4 and 156.4 +/- 12.8 bpm, respectively. The average values of speed (vss, 13.4 +/- 0.6 km x h(-1)), RPE (13.5 +/- 1.4) and HR (154.4 +/- 7.6 bpm) measured during the race (n = 47) were not significantly different from those measured at the lactate threshold (v4mM, RPE4mM and v4mM). However, vss and the average HR during the race showed significantly lower variances than v4mM and HR4mM suggesting that, besides the need of avoiding lactate accumulation in blood, other factors must be involved in the choice of speed in running.

ACUTE PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS OF A SUPER SLOW WEIGHT LIFTING SESSION IN UNTRAINED HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

This study determined the acute physiologic effects of a super slow weight lifting session in 20 untrained healthy subjects (age = 20 ± 3.6 yrs) compared to traditional circuit weight lifting and treadmill walking. On separated days, subjects completed a maximal exercise test, and one session of super slow weight lifting, circuit weight lifting and submaximal treadmill walking. Weight lifting sessions were completed at 40–50% of 1 RM for 7 exercises. Submaximal treadmill walking was performed for the same duration and at the same average heart rate as during super slow weight lifting. Blood pressure, heart rate, RPE, and oxygen uptake (VO2) were measured during each exercise session. Submaximal treadmill walking yielded a significantly greater VO2 than both circuit weight lifting and super slow weight lifting, 16.0 ± 4.4 vs. 12.6 ± 2,2 vs. 11.5 ± 1.6 ml/kg/min., (p < 0.01), which compared to 32%, 25%, and 23% of VO 2max respectively. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher at the beginning and end of the super slow weight session compared to circuit weight lifting and treadmill walking (beginning: 121 vs. 114 vs. 114 mm Hg, p < 0.01), (end: 134 vs. 123 vs. 119 mm Hg, P < 0.01), but there was no difference in heart rate. RPE was also higher (p < 0.01) during super slow weight lifting (13.3 vs. 11.5 vs. 9.4). This study shows that super slow weight lifting produced lower VO 2, but higher systolic blood pressures and RPE values compared to traditional circuit weight lifting and treadmill walking. Thus, super slow weight lifting feels more difficult, but produces a lower energy expenditure compared to circuit weight lifting and treadmill walking, even at the same heart rate.

A COMPARISON OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF TANDEM AND SINGLE BICYCLE RIDING

1381 The purpose of this field study was to compare the physiological responses of riding a tandem bicycle (TB) to riding a single bicycle (SB). Nine pairs of experienced, recreational tandem cyclists rode a TB or their SB in a random order, crossover design. Cyclists rode for 5 min at each velocity of 19, 23, 26, 29 kph (12, 14, 16, 18 mph) on a flat, paved surface. Environmental conditions were similar between trials. Heart rate (HR), RPE, and lactic acid (LA) were collected after each interval. Results: Statistical analyses revealed that riding a TB resulted in statistically lower HR, RPE, and LA mean values than when riding a SB. Mean (± SD) HR, RPE, and LA for TB and SB were 126 (20.7) bpm, 10.1 (1.7), and 1.46 (1.0) mM/l vs. 142 (20.1) bpm, 11.3 (2.6), and 2.36 (1.7) mM/l, respectively. No statistical differences were observed between the captain (front position) and the stoker (rear position) when both were cycling together on a TB. When cycling separately on a SB, however, captains exhibited statistically lower HR, RPE, and LA values compared to stokers. Conclusions: 1) At the same velocities, cycling on a TB results in lower energy expenditure patterns than on a SB, 2) at similar energy expenditures, cyclists were able to ride from 3 to 4 mph faster on a TB than on a SB, and 3) even though a tandem pair may be mismatched physically, as observed by SB results, each rider can still attain the benefits of exercise when cycling as a pair on a TB. Burley Design Cooperative funded this study.

Muscular fatigue and its effects on weight perception

The objective of this study was to investigate how muscular fatigue affects the human's perception of weights. The main goal was to test the hypothesis that human's perception of weight is different if the muscle is fatigued than if it is not. Forty subjects (20 males and 20 females) between the ages of 18 and 30 yr participated in this experiment. A set of weights was made from plastic containers filled with lead shots. The containers weighed between 50 and 500 g in increments of 50 g resulting in ten variable weights. Subjects were tested, before and after training, on the use of Borg's RPE scale. The results showed that subjects were able to learn to use the RPE scale after only two training sessions. Next, subjects were asked to exert and maintain a maximum push-down force with the right arm until fatigued. Immediately after fatigue, subjects had to lift two weights in both the left and right arms simultaneously and compare the weight in the right arm (variable weight) to the one in the left arm (constant weight) and rate it on the RPE scale. The same process was followed without fatiguing the right arm. The results showed that when muscles were not fatigued, the RPE values coincided well with the tested weight, such as 500 g represented number 10, and 50 g represented number 1 on the RPE scale. However, when muscles were fatigued, the RPE values were significantly lower. The results showed that subjects perceived the weight to be about 17% less. Relevance to industry Muscular fatigue can impair the proper perception of weight. This may lead to exert less force than needed to hold, carry, or push an object, possibly resulting in an accident.

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO RECREATIONAL SNOWSHOEING

691 In recent years, the popularity of snowshoeing has increased due to innovations in snowshoe design; they are smaller, lighter, have maintenance-free aluminum frames, and a more versatile binding system. The purpose of this study was to provide descriptive data relative to exercise intensity when subjects snowshoed at a self-selected pace on both flat and variable terrain. Twenty volunteers (10M and 10FI aged 21-42 years participated in the study. Subjects snowshoed at a self-selected pace for 30 minutes on flat and variable terrain courses, in random order. Individual subjects were tested within a 2-3 day span so that conditions would be similar due to the possible effect that snow conditions and temperature may have had on the results. VO2 (ml/kg/min), HR (bpm), RPE, and caloric expenditure (Kcals/30 min) were measured during each trial. VO2 and Kcals were determined using the Aerosport KB1-C portable oxygen analyzer, HR was measured with a Polar HR watch, and RPE was assessed using the Borg (6-20) scale. (Table)TableIt was found that snowshoeing on the flat and variable courses elicited HR values equivalent to 75 and 84% of age-predicted maximal HR, respectively. The average RPE values of 13.7 and 15.1 indicate that subjects were working "somewhat hard" to "hard" on the two courses and the caloric expenditure values compare favorably to other common exercise modes. The results of this study indicate that snowshoeing at a self-selected pace continuously for 30 minutes provides sufficient intensity to increase cardiovascular endurance and positively alter body composition based on current ACSM guidelines.

EVALUATION OF AN KLLIPTICAL EXERCISER IN COMPARISON TO TREADMILL WALKING AND RUNNING, STATIONARY CYCLING, AND STEPPING

957 The new elliptical exercise machines (ELLIPSE) on the market are designed to provide a low-impact total body workout. The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological responses of ELLIPSE to standard exercise modalities: treadmill running (TMrun) and walking (TMwalk), stationary cycling(BIKE), and stepping (STEP). Sixteen volunteers (8M and 8F) between the ages of 27 and 54 years served as subjects. Following adequate practice, each subject completed a 20 minute exercise bout, at a self-selected pace, on each mode. Each test was completed on a separate day, in random order. VO2(ml/kg/min), caloric expenditure, and HR were recorded every minute and RPE was assessed every 5 minutes. In addition, vertical ground reaction forces(VGRF) were measured using the Tekscan F-scan software. Responses were similar for M and F, thus mean responses are presented below. TableTableVO2, HR, and Kcals were not significantly different (p>.05) between ELLIPSE and TMrun, however they were significantly greater (p<.05) than BIKE, STEP, and TMwalk. RPE values were similar for all five modes. VGRF for the BIKE was significantly less (p<.05) than all other modes, with TMrun being significantly greater (p<.05) than all other modes. The results indicate that TMrun and ELLIPSE, at a self-selected pace, elicits a greater physiologic load compared to TMwalk, BIKE, or STEP. However, since VGRF for the ELLIPSE was less than half of TMrun, it may provide less risk for injury.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RPE AND REPETITIONS AT VARIOUS PERCENTAGES OF 1 RM FOR SEVERAL LIFTING EXERCISES 1233

Prescriptive guidelines for resistance training are usually based on having individuals perform a given number of repetitions at various percentages of 1 RM, or are based on RPE. The exact relationship between these variables remains unclear, however, especially when performing exercise for various body parts. The purpose of this study was to 1) determine the number of repetitions that could be performed at 40, 50, 60 and 70% of 1 RM for four different exercises (chest press, arm curls, pulldowns, and leg extensions) and 2) to determine the relationship between RPE and number of repetitions for each lift. Twenty middle-aged adults volunteered to participate in this study. Strength was assessed for each exercise via 1 RM testing, while relative muscular endurance was assessed by having subjects perform repetitions until exhaustion for each lift. RPE was assessed after the 10th repetition on each exercise, at each percentage. Results indicated that there was a significant difference (p<.05) in the number of repetitions performed on different exercises at similar percentages of 1 RM. Both men and women performed more repetitions on pulldowns than all other exercises at all percentages. Additionally, both genders performed more repetitions on the chest press than on the arm curls and leg extensions; there were no differences between the arm curl and legs extension exercises. RPE values, as expected, increased significantly (p<.05) across all percentages for each lift. There were differences between lifts, however, at similar percentages of 1 RM. Values were lowest for the pulldown exercise at all percentages, and were highest for the arm curls and leg extensions, respectively. The findings of this study suggest that the number of repetitions which can be performed and the associated RPE values vary between different lifts, even at similar percentages of 1 RM. Thus, the amount of weight (or percentage of 1 RM) which should be lifted should not be universally prescribed across all lifts, but rather should be tailored to the specific body part being exercised.

ENDURANCE TRAINING AND PERCEIVED EXERTION (RPE) 1217

Relative intensity is considered a primary factor for RPE during exercise but whether training affects this relationship is not clear. This study examined RPE, HR and VO2 values obtained during steady-state cycle ergometer exercise at absolute (50W) and relative (60% and 80% VO2max) power outputs (PO) before and after training on 160 male (M) and 168 female(F) subjects aged 17-65 yrs in the HERITAGE Family Study. VO2max increased 14.7% in M and 18.0% in F. As there were no qualitative differences in their responses to submaximal exercise, data were combined.Table As expected, HR,% VO2max and RPE dropped significantly at 50W. The drop in RPE at 60% and 80% VO2max (9.4% and 5.9%, respectively) is greater than drops in HR and actual% VO2max at 60% (3.6% and 3.4%, respectively) and at 80% (1.5% and 1.2%, respectively). These data show that endurance training lowers the perception of effort at both absolute and relative PO.

THE USE OF RATINGS OF PERCEIVED EXERTION (RPE) TO ESTIMATE FIXED BLOOD LACTATE CONCENTRATIONS DURING INCREMENTAL CYCLE ERGOMETER EXERCISE1230

The aim of this study was to examine differences in the ability of high active (HA) and low active (LA) individuals to utilise RPE to accurately estimate exercise intensities corresponding to 2.0, 2.5 and 4.0mM blood lactate concentration. Subjects (n=20) were matched for age, body mass and gender, placed into experimental groups based on regular physical activity levels, and completed a continuous incremental cycle ergometer protocol consisting of 4 minute stages. At the completion of each workload, heart rate, blood lactate, central, local and overall RPE (Borg 15 point scale) were recorded. ANOVA revealed that despite significant differences between the 2 experimental groups for heart rate (HA=156.4±2.4 BPM, LA=142.9±2.93 BPM, p<0.05)) no significant difference existed for overall RPE (HA=15.77±0.4, LA=14.08±0.5) at exercise intensities corresponding to 4.0mM blood lactate condition. There was a consistent yet non significant difference between groups for local RPE and a significant difference for central RPE corresponding to 4.0mM blood lactate. The data suggests that there is a difference between high and low active individuals for RPE values corresponding to given blood lactate concentrations. These differences may be related to relative exercise intensity corresponding to given blood lactate concentrations.

Prediction of Peak Oxygen Uptake from Submaximal Exercise Tests in Older Men and Women

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of two submaximal exercise tests, the Sitting-Chair Step Test (Smith &amp; Gilligan. 1983) and the Modified Step Test (Amundsen, DeVahl, &amp; Ellingham, 1989) to predict peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) in 28 adults ages 60 to 85 years. VO2 peak was measured by indirect calorimetry during a treadmill maximal graded exercise test (VO2 peak, range 11.6–31.1 ml · kg −l · min−1). In each of the submaximal tests, VO2 was predicted by plotting stage-by-stage submaximal heart rate (HR) and perceived exertion (RPE) data against VO2 for each stage and extrapolating the data to respective age-predicted maximal HR or RPE values. In the Sitting-Chair Step Test (n = 23), no significant differences were observed between measured and predicted VO2 peak values (p &gt; .05). However, predicted VO2 peak values from the HR were 4.3 ml · kg−1 · min−1 higher than VO2 peak values predicted from the RPE data (p &lt; .05). In the Modified Step Test (n = 22), no significant differences were observed between measured and predicted VO2 peak values (p &gt; .05). Predictive accuracy was modest, explaining 49–78% of the variance in VO2 peak. These data suggest that the Sitting-Chair Step Test and the Modified Step Test have moderate validity in predicting VO2 peak in older men and women.

THE EFFECTS OF AGE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LACTATE THRESHOLD (LT) AND VO2 PEAK 908

To examine the effects of age on the relationship between the lactate threshold and VO2 peak; 43 subjects were categorized as young males(YM, n = 9, age = 31.1 ± 6.4 yr.), older males (OM, n = 13, age = 66.8± 4.7 yr.), young females YF, n = 11, age = 28.8 ± 1.7 yr.), and older females (OF, n = 10, age = 66.7 ± 6.0 yr.). Each subject completed an incremental protocol on a treadmill (3 min stages, 10 m/min increments), during which blood lactate, heart rate, VO2, and RPE were measured. Results are presented below [mean (SD)]:Table Two way ANOVA (gender × age) with post hoc analysis revealed: 1) VO2 LT and VO2 peak values were significantly lower in females and older subjects (P < 0.05); 2) The difference in VO2 peak between older and younger subjects was greater than the difference in VO2 LT resulting in a significantly higher VO2 LT/VO2 peak in older subjects (P < 0.05); and 3) age and gender did not affect RPE at the LT, but OF had lower peak RPE values (P < 0.05). Results indicate that VO2 peak may be altered by age to a greater degree than VO2 LT and suggest VO2 peak by itself may not be the best indicator of reduced functional capacity with age.

Psychophysical Measures of Exertion. Are They Muscle Group Dependent?

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the applicability of the RPE (CR-10) scale for a number of physical exertions which employ only the upper limb with a variety of muscle group sizes and exertion levels. Ten female and ten male subjects performed pinch and pulling tasks in which four different muscle groups were engaged employing the finger, wrist, forearm and the whole arm. MVC (maximum voluntary contraction) exertion levels, RPE (Borg's CR-10 scale) value, and accuracy of the subjective assessment were measured. The results indicate that the accuracy of psychophysical measures are not muscle dependent although force generating capability is dependent on the muscle group involved. Female subjects were found more accurate in their perception of perceived exertion at lower levels of exertion than male subjects. It also appears that the RPE rating can be used to assess a variety of exertion levels accurately for a range of tasks, involving a range of muscle group sizes and location.

An ergonomic evaluation of steel and composite access covers

Twenty males and 20 females participated in a study undertaken to provide an ergonomic basis for deciding between the conventional steel access cover (less expensive and heavier, and therefore undesirable) and a new composite access cover (relatively more expensive but lighter, and therefore more desirable). The results indicated that the conventional steel cover (weighing 80.35 kg and 91.44 cm in diameter) is too heavy for safe manual handling. The steel cover weight not only exceeded the average individual psychophysical lifting capacity of males and females (33.83 kg and 29.56 kg, respectively), it exceeded the average psychophysical lifting capacity of two-member male and female teams as well (76.04 kg and 67.08 kg, respectively). The spinal compression, if lifting the steel access cover was permitted, would have been approximately 13210 N for individual lifting and 6190 N for team lifting. Only 4 males were able to lift the composite access covers (weighing 38.13 kg and 91.44 cm in diameter) straight up using built-in handles, individually. The average spinal compressive force generated in this case (5849 N) also exceeded the spinal column strength of most males and females. Lifting the composite cover by a two-person team was found to be much safer (average spinal compression for team lifting the composite cover = 2501 N) and is a viable solution. The factor of safety for team lifting the composite access cover is at least 36% for females and 56% for males. Removing the composite cover individually using a rod type handle (unseating the cover by first rotating it and then pulling it for removal) resulted in somewhat greater physical stress (21.33 kg vertical force and 2898 N spinal compressive force) than lifting it by a team but, on the average, provided a factor of safety of at least 49% for males and 26% for females. Removing the composite access cover with the aid of the rod handle was also perceived to be “light” (average RPE value of 10.25 for males and 10.00 for females).

Cardiovascular Fitness and the Psychophysics of Perceived Exertion

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the perceptual response to absolute exercise intensities of individuals differing in cardiovascular fitness using both the RPE scale and a magnitude estimation procedure. Male (N = 34) and female (N = 41) subjects were classified as either high or low fit on the basis of predicted maximal oxygen uptake. Subjects cycled for two six-minute periods separated by a five-minute rest period. Following two minutes of cycling at 600 kpm ṁ min-1, work loads of 200, 400, 800, and 1000 kpm ṁ min-1 were presented in random order for one minute. The mean (± SD) perceptual exponent for the high fit women (1.33 ± .41) was significantly (p < .05) higher than that for the low fit women (1.06 ± .42). Perceptual exponents for the high (1.16 ± .45) and low (1.04 ± .39) fit men did not differ (p > .05). For both samples, RPE values did not differ significantly between high and low fit groups at any work load (p > .05). Heart rate was significantly (p < .05) higher at each work load for the low fit subjects. It was concluded that perceived exertion as measured by the RPE scale does not discriminate between groups of high and low fit subjects during short term exercise at low to moderate intensities, despite differences in cardiovascular strain.