Comparison of Physiological Variables to Perceived Exertion During Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise

The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship of RPE to HR, BLA, and VO2 during aerobic and resistance maximal tests as well as during resistance exercise at varying intensities. Twelve volunteers took part in three maximal tests; a treadmill VO2max, a back squat 1RM, and a squat protocol involving six sets of 50%, 70%, and 90% of 1RM to a predetermined number of repetitions as well as to failure. VO2, HR, BLA, and RPE were measured throughout each test. RPE was found to significantly relate to resistance exercise intensity only when performing sets to a predetermined number of repetitions, but not when performing to failure; it also had no significant relationship to any physiological variable in resistance exercise. HR showed a trend similar to RPE when performing sets to a predetermined number of repetitions, but no significant difference to failure. VO2 related to repetitions during the squat protocol. BLA showed no significant effect to repetitions or intensity. RPE relates to resistance exercise intensity during a 1RM protocol and during sets to a predetermined number of repetitions. There is no relationship between RPE and intensity when performing sets to failure or to any physiological variable during either protocol.