Lower Blood Lactate Concentration and More Positive Affective Valence in Response to Reduced Exertion High Intensity Training (REHIT) on the Rowing Ergometer Compared to Cycle Ergometry

Abstract

Perceptual responses are related to long-term exercise adherence. This within-subjects study compared blood lactate concentration (BLa) and perceptual responses to reduced exertion high intensity interval (REHIT) between rowing and cycle ergometry. Twenty healthy, active adults (age = 27 ± 6 yr) underwent a VO₂max test followed by completion of REHIT on the rower or cycle ergometer. Exercise consisted of three “all-out” 20 s sprints separated by active recovery. BLa, affective valence, rating of perceived exertion (RPE 6 – 20), and enjoyment were acquired during exercise. Results showed no difference in peak HR (98 ± 6 vs. 95 ± 4 %HRmax, p = .06) or maximal workload (191 ± 34 vs. 204 ± 29 %Wmax, p = .25) between rowing and cycling REHIT. Rowing REHIT exhibited significantly lower BLa (p < .001) at 2, 30, and 60 min post-exercise (7.0 ± 2.2 vs. 11.6 ± 2.8 mM, p < .001, d = 1.9; 3.1 ± 1.5 vs. 6.2 ± 2.8 mM, p < .001, d = 1.4; and 2.0 ± 0.7 vs. 3.1 ± 1.3 mM, p = .02, d = 1.2) versus cycling. Results also showed significantly greater enjoyment (101 ± 12 vs. 89 ± 17, p < .001, d = 0.84) and lower change in RPE (7.8 ± 2.0 vs. 9.5 ± 2.1, p = .001, d = 0.85) and affective valence (−1.2 ± 1.5 vs. −2.4 ± 2.7, p = .036, d = 0.54) with rowing versus cycling REHIT. Overall, rowing REHIT elicits a more positive perceptual response versus cycling.