Effect of fatigue on monitoring of training intensity

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the stability and reliability of the Session Rating of Perceived Exertion (sRPE) method compared to objective physiological measures of exercise intensity. Methods: Twelve moderately trained male and female college student performed an initial VO2max test to determine appropriate workloads for the training sessions. During the first week subjects performed steady-state exercise bouts on a cycle ergometer. The second week subjects performed steady-state at the same intensity but longer duration on a cycle ergometer. Heart rate, Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), sRPE and blood lactate (HLa) were recorded during all sessions. Results: There was no significant difference between the HLa of the 30-minute sessions 1 and 2. There were differences within the 60 minute sessions 4 and 8, but when there was adequate recovery there were no between day differences in the two sessions. Discussion: During exercise bouts of constant duration sRPE stays constant. sRPE is a reliable marker of internal training load and may reflect how hard one is working compared to objective markers indicating training intensity.