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 st age 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 effect s of variations in spontaneously chosen crank rare on RPE was analysed usin g 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 a nd 2 for upper or lower body, RPE increased linearly (p<.05) with power out put, No significant difference was noticed between upper and lower body tes ts: 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 gr eater 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 due s not seem to influence the perception of exertion in upper body cycling ex ercise.