Monitoring work intensities during resistance training using a session RPE scale

Abstract

This study investigated the reliability of the session RPE scale to quantify work during high intensity (HIP), moderate intensity (MIP), and low intensity (LIP) resistance training. Nine men (24.7 + 3.8 years) and 10 women (22.1 rt 2.6 years) performed each intensity twice. Each protocol consisted of one set of five exercises: back squat, bench press, overhead press, biceps curl, and triceps pushdown. The HIP consisted of 4-5 repetitions at 90% of the subject's 1 repetition maximum (I-RM). The MIP consisted of 10 repetitions at 70% 1-RM and the LIP consisted of 15 repetitions at 50% 1-RM. RPE wm collected following the completion of each set and thirty minutes post-exercise (session WE). Session RPE was higher for the HIP than MIP and LIP (p<0.05). Performing fewer repetitions at a higher intensity is perceived to be more difficult than performing more repetitions at a lower intensity. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the session RPE was 0.88. The session RPE is a reliable method to quantify various intensities of resistance training.