title: Validity and reliability of the session-RPE method for quantifying training load in karate athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the construct validity and reliability of the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) method by examining the relationship between RPE and physiological parameters (heart rate: HR and blood lactate concentration: [La --] ) and the correlations between sRPE and two HR--based methods for quantifying internal training load (Banister's method and Edwards's method) during karate training camp.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen elite karate athletes: ten men (age: 24.2 ± 2.3 y, body mass: 71.2 ± 9.0 kg, body fat: 8.2 ± 1.3% and height: 178 ± 7 cm) and eight women (age: 22.6 ± 1.2 y, body mass: 59.8 ± 8.4 kg, body fat: 20.2 ± 4.4%, height: 169 ± 4 cm) were included in the study. During training camp, subjects participated in eight karate--training sessions including three training modes (4 tactical--technical, 2 technical--development, and 2 randori training), during which RPE, HR, and [La -- ] were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant correlations were found between RPE and physiological parameters (percentage of maximal HR: r = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.64--0.86; [La --] : r = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.49--0.75; P < 0.001). Moreover, individual sRPE was significantly correlated with two HR--based methods for quantifying internal training load ( r = 0.65--0.95; P < 0.001). The sRPE method showed the high reliability of the same intensity across training sessions (Cronbach's α = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.61--0.92).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that the sRPE method is valid for quantifying internal training load and intensity in karate.
authors.affiliation: CETAPS, University of Rouen, Mont Saint Aignan, France - jeremy.coquart@voila.fr.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tabben
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tourny
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chaabane
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chamari
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Coquart