title: Rating of perceived exertion as a tool for prescribing and self regulating interval training: a pilot study.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to analyse the usefulness of the 6-20 rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale for prescribing and self-regulating high-intensity interval training (HIT) in young individuals. Eight healthy young subjects (age = 27.5±6.7 years) performed maximal graded exercise testing to determine their maximal and reserve heart rate (HR). Subjects then performed two HIT sessions (20 min on a treadmill) prescribed and regulated by their HR (HR: 1 min at 50% alternated with 1 min at 85% of reserve HR) or RPE (RPE: 1 minute at the 9-11 level [very light-fairly light] alternated with 1 minute at the 15-17 level [hard-very hard]) in random order. HR response and walking/running speed during the 20 min of exercise were compared between sessions. No significant difference between sessions was observed in HR during low- (HR: 135±15 bpm; RPE: 138±20 bpm) and high-intensity intervals (HR: 168±15 bpm; RPE: 170±18 bpm). Walking/running speed during low- (HR: 5.7±1.2 km · h(-1); RPE: 5.7±1.3 km · h(-1)) and high-intensity intervals (HR: 7.8±1.9 km · h(-1); RPE: 8.2±1.7 km · h(-1)) was also not different between sessions. No significant differences were observed in HR response and walking/running speed between HIT sessions prescribed and regulated by HR or RPE. This finding suggests that the 6-20 RPE scale may be a useful tool for prescribing and self-regulating HIT in young subjects.
authors.affiliation: São Paulo State University - UNESP, School of Sciences, Physical Education Department, Exercise and Chronic Disease Research Laboratory, Bauru, Brazil.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Ciolac
authors.affiliation: Anhanguera University of São Paulo, Health Sciences Department, Santo André, Brazil.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mantuani
authors.affiliation: São Paulo State University - UNESP, School of Sciences, Physical Education Department, Exercise and Chronic Disease Research Laboratory, Bauru, Brazil ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ribeirão Preto - UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil ; Health Promotion Ph.D. Program, University of Franca - UNIFRAN, Franca, Brazil.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Neiva
authors.affiliation: São Paulo State University - UNESP, School of Sciences, Physical Education Department, Exercise and Chronic Disease Research Laboratory, Bauru, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verardi
authors.affiliation: São Paulo State University - UNESP, School of Sciences, Physical Education Department, Exercise and Chronic Disease Research Laboratory, Bauru, Brazil.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Pessôa-Filho
authors.affiliation: Anhanguera University of São Paulo, Health Sciences Department, Santo André, Brazil.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pimenta
keywords: exercise prescription; heart rate; high-intensity interval training; rating of perceived exertion