title: Monitoring exercise intensity during resistance training using the session RPE scale.
abstract: This study investigated the reliability of the session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale to quantify exercise intensity during high-intensity (H), moderate-intensity (M), and low-intensity (L) resistance training. Nine men (24.7 +/- 3.8 years) and 10 women (22.1 +/- 2.6 years) performed each intensity twice. Each protocol consisted of 5 exercises: back squat, bench press, overhead press, biceps curl, and triceps pushdown. The H consisted of 1 set of 4-5 repetitions at 90% of the subject's 1 repetition maximum (1RM). The M consisted of 1 set of 10 repetitions at 70% 1RM, and the L consisted of 1 set of 15 repetitions at 50% 1RM. RPE was measured following the completion of each set and 30 minutes postexercise (session RPE). Session RPE was higher for the H than M and L exercise bouts (p < or = 0.05). Performing fewer repetitions at a higher intensity was perceived to be more difficult than performing more repetitions at a lower intensity. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the session RPE was 0.88. The session RPE is a reliable method to quantify various intensities of resistance training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Meghan L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: McGuigan
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brice
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000523:psychology*