Ratings of Perceived Exertion are Not Influenced by Exercise Stage of Change in Physically Active College Students

Abstract

Comparisons of ratings of perceived exertion based on fitness have been equivocal but have not accounted for recent exercise history. The purpose of this study was to test mean differences in ratings of perceived exertion among individuals of differing exercise histories as measured by exercise stage of change. Participants completed questionnaires to measure exercise stage of change and physical activity [preparation stage (n = 32), action stage (n = 31), and maintenance stage (n = 41)]. Ratings of perceived exertion were measured during a graded maximal exercise test. Individual regression equations were computed to estimate the ratings for 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% of VO₂ max. There were no significant differences in the ratings across the preparation, action, and maintenance stages. Therefore, the hypothesis that recent exercise history would influence ratings of perceived exertion during an aerobic fitness test was rejected.