Ratings of Perceived Exertion during Intermittent and Continuous Exercise

Abstract

This investigation characterized the acute differentiated and undifferentiated perceptual responses to a prolonged intermittent and continuous stationary cycle exercise session. Throughout two 2.0-hr. test sessions, 12 subjects cycled at 64% Watts_max and 73% VO₂ peak continuously or with 3-min. rest intervals interspersed every 10 min. During both trials, oxygen uptake (VO₂), ventilation (V_E), respiratory rate, respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate, and three ratings of perceived exertion (OMNI) measurements were made every 30 min. During the intermittent protocol, the perceived exertion measures were taken during Min. 10 of every 10-min. interval. OMNI RPE–Overall body did not differ significantly between conditions. No significant differences were reported for OMNI RPE–Legs between conditions; however, a significant interaction was reported for OMNI RPE–Chest, which was significantly lower in the continuous condition at Min. 120. These data indicate that perception of exertion is similar during prolonged intermittent and continuous exercise when performed at the same relative intensities throughout 90 min. of exercise.