Physiological Responses Underlying the Perception of Effort during Moderate and Heavy Intensity Cycle Ergometry

Authors

Kristen C. Cochrane, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Terry J. Housh, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ethan C. Hill, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Cory M. Smith, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Joel T. Cramer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Glen O. Johnson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Richard J. Schmidt, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2015

Citation

Sports 2015, 3, 369-382; doi:10.3390/sports3040369

Comments

Copyright © 2015, the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Open access, Creative Commons Attribution license 4.0.

Abstract

This study examined patterns of responses for physiological and perceptual variables during cycle ergometry at a constant rate of perceived exertion (RPE) within the moderate and heavy exercise intensity domains. Nineteen (mean age 21.3 ± 0.5 years; 43.4 ± 2.0 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ VO_2Peak) moderately trained cyclists performed an incremental test to exhaustion and two 60 min constant RPE rides at the RPE corresponding to the gas exchange threshold (RPE_GET) and 15% above the GET (RPE_GET+15%). Oxygen consumption (VO₂), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (V_E), breathing frequency (F_B), and power output (PO) were monitored throughout the rides. Polynomial regression analyses showed VO₂, RER, HR, and V_E (correlation = −0.85 to −0.98) tracked the decreases in PO required to maintain a constant RPE. Only F_B tracked RPE during the moderate and heavy intensity rides. Repeated measures ANOVAs indicated that VO₂ during the 60 min rides at RPE_GET was not different (p > 0.05) from VO₂ at GET from the incremental test to exhaustion. Thus, monitoring intensity using an RPE associated with the GET is sustainable for up to 60 min of cycling exercise and a common mechanism may mediate F_B and the perception of effort during moderate and heavy intensity cycle ergometry.