RPE responses during arm and leg exercises: Effect of variations in spontaneously chosen crank rate

The aim of this study was two-fold. First. the rating of perceived exertion (RPE; a as compared between two different upper and loa rr body exercises. Subjects (n=12) performed with spontaneously chosen crank or pedal rates: ti) incremental maximum pou er tests (Test 1). with an initial work rate of 50% of maximal power followed by increases of 10% at each 120-sec. work stage and (ii) tests (Test 2) with exercise bouts stir at 20, 40, 60, and 80% of maximal power separated by passive recovery periods. Second, the effects of variations in spontaneously chosen crank rare on RPE was analysed using the second test performed only with upper body. Subjects performed Test 2 three times with crank rates spontaneously chosen by the subjects, set at plus or minus 20% of spontaneously chosen crank rate. During both Tests 1 and 2 for upper or lower body, RPE increased linearly (p<.05) with power output, No significant difference was noticed between upper and lower body tests: however, RPE was significantly different (p<.05) between Test 1 results for upper and lower body at 70, 80, 90, and 100% of maximal pou er. The greater RPE at high pou er output could be linked to the important effect of fatigue during upper body exercise. Among the three crank-rare conditions, no significant difference in RPE: was noticed. The choice of crank rate dues not seem to influence the perception of exertion in upper body cycling exercise.