Perceived exertion threshold: Comparison with ventilatory thresholds and critical power

• Published in: Science & sports 2009-06, Vol.24 (3), p.196-201
• Main Authors: Nakamura, F.Y., Okuno, N.M., Perandini, L.A.B., de Oliveira, F.R., Buchheit, M., Simões, H.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerobic capacity; Biological and medical sciences; Capacités aérobies; Consommation maximale d’oxygène; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Maximal oxygen uptake; Validity; Validité; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
• ISSN: 0765-1597
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scispo.2008.07.003

The aim of this study was to provide concurrent validity evidences to perceived exertion threshold (PET) by comparing and establishing relationships with aerobic fitness parameters derived from square-wave and incremental tests. Eleven male college students performed one incremental test to determine first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT 1 and VT 2, respectively), maximal oxygen uptake (   V O 2max ), and maximal aerobic power (MAP); four predictive trials for the critical power (CP) and PET estimations. Oxygen consumption (   V O 2 ) at VT 1 and VT 2 were 22.9 ± 4.2 and 35.8 ± 4.7 ml/kg per minute, respectively. The MAP and   V O 2max were 267 ± 34 W and 40.3 ± 6.3 ml/kg per minute, respectively. The PET (146 ± 31 W) and CP (146 ± 33 W) did not differ from each other, and both estimates were between VT 1 (121 ± 28 W) and VT 2 (228 ± 36 W). The correlations between PET and CP, expressed in relative terms to body mass, were significant ( P < 0.01, r = 0.84). The correlations between PET and relative V O 2 at VT 1 ( r = 0.76), VT 2 ( r = 0.72) and   V O 2max ( r = 0.73) were significant ( P < 0.05). PET did not significantly differ from CP, and presented significant correlations with VT 1, VT 2 and   V O 2max derived from incremental test. Thus, it can be considered as a valid measure of aerobic capacity. Le but de cette étude était de démontrer la validité du seuil de pénibilité perçue à l’effort (PET) à partir de relations avec des repères physiologiques caractérisant la capacité aérobie, obtenus lors de tests incrémentés et à intensité constante. Onze étudiants masculins ont effectué 1) un test incrémenté pour déterminer le premier (VT 1) et second (VT 2) seuil ventilatoire, la consommation maximale d’oxygène (   V O 2max ) et la puissance maximale aérobie (MAP) ; 2) quatre exercices rectangulaires pour l’estimation de la puissance critique (CP) et de PET. La consommation d’oxygène ( V O 2 ) à VT 1 et VT 2 était 22,9 ± 4,2 et 35,8 ± 4,7 ml/kg par minute, respectivement. La MAP et   V O 2max moyenne était 267 ± 34 W et 40,3 ± 6,3 ml/kg par minute, respectivement. PET (146 ± 31 W) et CP (146 ± 33 W) n’étaient pas significativement différents, et étaient tout deux entre VT 1 (121 ± 28 W) et VT 2 (228 ± 36 W). La corrélation entre PET et CP, exprimés de manière relative au poids de corps, était significative ( p < 0,01, r = 0,84). Les corrélations entre PET et la V O 2 relative à VT 1 ( r = 0,76), VT 2 ( r = 0,72) et   V O 2max ( r = 0,73) étaient signi