title: The effect of estimation and production procedures on running economy in recreational athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Running economy is an important component in any endurance event. However, the influence of effort perception on running economy has yet to be examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  The purpose of this study was to assess the oxygen cost of running (running economy) at identical ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during estimation (EST) and production (PR) procedures, during treadmill exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen, well-trained male participants actively produced (self-regulated) a range of submaximal exercise intensities equating to RPE values 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17, and passively estimated their perception of exertion during an incremental graded-exercise test (GXT). Allometric scaling was used to ensure an appropriate comparison in running economy between conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present study demonstrated that the overall running economy between conditions was statistically similar (p>0.05). A significant interaction was however identified between Conditions and RPE (p<0.001). The interaction revealed that running economy significantly improved during PR but remained fairly consistent during EST between moderate and high perceptions of exertion (RPE 11-17). Despite similarities in running economy between conditions, physiological (oxygen uptake, heart rate, minute ventilation and blood lactate) and physical (running velocity) markers of exercise intensity were significantly higher during EST for equivalent perceptions of exertion (all p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Passive estimation procedures may improve running economy and enhance athletic performance when compared to identical perceptions of exertion elicited during active production procedures. Athletes, coaches and physical trainers should consider the perceptual procedures utilised during training to ensure that an athlete trains at the most effective training intensity.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand. J.Faulkner@massey.ac.nz
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: Brandon P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Woolley
authors.forename: Danielle M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lambrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid