PERCEIVED EXERTION DURING SUBMAXIMAL G-EXPOSURES BEFORE AND AFTER PHYSICAL-TRAINING

Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were registered at submaximal leve ls in G endurance tests of a combined strength and endurance training program in 17 pilots. After 12 months of physical training, the endura nce G tolerance (time to exhaustion during simulated aerial combat man euver], increased by a mean of 40% (p < 0.001), while the mean RPE at 5 min submaximal G exposure decreased by 1.2 units (0 < 0.02). Followi ng 12 months of physical training, a significant relationship was obse rved between the improvement of the endurance G tolerance and the decr ease of the RPE at 5 min (0 = 0.05). Mean SaO(2) at 5 min increased fr om 84 to 90% (0 < 0.01) after training, while heart rate responses to G stress did not change. It is concluded that mean RPE and, to some ex tent, mean SaO(2) during submaximal G exposures may be used as indicat ors of shifts in endurance G tolerance. The procedure may reduce the n eed for exhaustive G tolerance tests with associated risks and discomf ort.