Published in:
01-09-2019 | Original Article
Treadmill running using an RPE-clamp model: mediators of perception and implications for exercise prescription
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 9/2019
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Purpose
The mediators of the perception of effort during exercise are still unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine physiological responses during runs using a rating of perceived exertion (RPE)-clamp model at the RPE corresponding to the gas exchange threshold (RPEGET) and 15% above GET (RPEGET+15%) to identify potential mediators and performance applications for RPE during treadmill running.
Methods
Twenty-one runners (\({\dot{V}\mathrm{O}}_{2}\)max = 51.7 ± 8.3 ml kg−1 min−1) performed a graded exercise test to determine maximal oxygen consumption and the RPE associated with GET and GET + 15% followed by randomized 60 min RPE-clamp runs at RPEGET and RPEGET+15%. Mean differences for \({\dot{V}\mathrm{O}}_{2}\), heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (\({\dot{V}}_{E}\)), respiratory frequency (\({\mathcal{F}}_{R})\), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and velocity were compared across each run.
Results
After minute 14, \({\dot{V}\mathrm{O}}_{2}\), RER and velocity did not differ across conditions, but decreased across time (p < 0.05). There was a significant (p < 0.05) condition × time interaction for \({\dot{V}}_{E}\), where values were significantly higher during RPE-clamp runs at RPEGET+15% and decreased across time in both conditions. There were no differences across condition or time for HR, and only small difference between conditions for \({\mathcal{F}}_{R}\).
Conclusions
HR and \({\mathcal{F}}_{R}\) may play a role in mediating the perception of effort, while \({\dot{V}\mathrm{O}}_{2}\), RER, and \({\dot{V}}_{E}\) may not. Although HR and \({\mathcal{F}}_{R}\) may mediate the maintenance of a perceptual intensity, they may not be sensitive to differentiate perceptual intensities at GET and GET + 15%. Thus, prescribing exercise using an RPE-clamp model may only reflect a sustainable \({\dot{V}\mathrm{O}}_{2}\) within the moderate intensity domain.