RPE Drift During Cycling in 18°C vs 30°C Wet Bulb Globe Temperature
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2007
Abstract
The potential influence of a hotter vs cooler environment on ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) estimations during longer duration exercise is not well-understood. This study compared overall and differentiated RPEs during cycling in 18°C vs 30°C wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT). Male volunteers (n=16) completed a maximal cycling trial (60 rev*min^sup -1^, 25 Watts*min^sup -1^) to determine VO^sub 2^ max and ventilatory threshold (VT) before completing 2 (counterbalanced) longer duration cycling trials. At 30°C WBGT (30C) and 18°C WBGT (18C), subjects cycled 60 min (60 rev*min^sup -1^, 90% individualized VT). Heart rate (HR, b*min^sup -1^) and rectal temperature (Tre, °C) were recorded every 5 min with corresponding RPE-overall (RPE-O), RPE-legs (RPE-L) and RPE-chest (RPE-C) estimations. HR was not significantly different at 5 min but was greater (P£0.05) for 30C at all other time points. During 30C, Tre was significantly greater (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 min), RPE-O was significantly greater (5, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 min), RPE-L was significantly greater (55 and 60 min) and RPE-C was significantly greater (35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 min). Greater cardiovascular (HR) and thermal (Tre) strain partially explain greater perceptual ratings during 30C. Discernible RPE differences resulted mid-way through 60 min cycling with minimal differences initially. Results suggest RPEs are magnified in a 30°C (vs 18°C) environment beyond 30 min duration. Additionally, a 30°C environment resulted in a less pronounced impact on RPE-L (vs RPE-C and RPE-O).