Ratings of perceived exertion at similar oxygen consumption levels with varying treadmill protocols

Abstract

Thirty male students and faculty members of UW-La Crosse performed 8 volitional max V02 treadmill (TM) tests. The speed of each test was held constant while the elevation was raised 2% every 3 min. Test speeds were 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0 mph. At 3 min stages, data recorded were HR, BP, Ve, V02 ml/kg/min and HPE. Results shewed that test performance was influenced by TM speed and elevation and the amount of habitual exercise. A linear relationship was found between HR and RPE and between V02 and RPE. High correlations between HR, BP, RPE, Ve, V02 L/min, V02 ml/kg/min, VCO2; L/min, METs, RER, and RPP were all significant (p (.01). Through a stepwise regression an analysis using V02 as the dependent variable, a prediction equation was generated with Ve and HR. Ve accounted for 87% of the variability of V02. An ANOVA and Neuman-Keul's test found significant (p <.01) differences in RBE at similar V02 levels with various TI4 speeds and elevations. Even small differences in speed and elevation for the same VO2 could be detected in terms of perception of stress, It was concluded that selection of speed and elevation that elicit the lowest RPE for a particular workload or V02 level, would offer the optimum protocol to allow a S to work towards a target level with the greatest physiological and psychological comfort.