Monitoring work intensities during resistance training using a session RPE scale
Abstract
This study investigated the reliability of the session RPE scale to quantify work during
high intensity (HIP), moderate intensity (MIP), and low intensity (LIP) resistance
training. Nine men (24.7 + 3.8 years) and 10 women (22.1 rt 2.6 years) performed each
intensity twice. Each protocol consisted of one set of five exercises: back squat, bench
press, overhead press, biceps curl, and triceps pushdown. The HIP consisted of 4-5
repetitions at 90% of the subject's 1 repetition maximum (I-RM). The MIP consisted of
10 repetitions at 70% 1-RM and the LIP consisted of 15 repetitions at 50% 1-RM. RPE
wm collected following the completion of each set and thirty minutes post-exercise
(session WE). Session RPE was higher for the HIP than MIP and LIP (p<0.05).
Performing fewer repetitions at a higher intensity is perceived to be more difficult than
performing more repetitions at a lower intensity. The intraclass correlation coefficient
for the session RPE was 0.88. The session RPE is a reliable method to quantify various
intensities of resistance training.
Subject
Weight training - Physiological aspects
Fatigue - Measurement