The effect of different interval durations on measures of exercise intensity
Abstract
Monitoring training loads during continuous exercise has been validated, however given
the importance of interval training, this method (RPE * duration) has not been validated
during interval training of different durations. Twelve well trained individuals (m = 6,
f = 6) performed an incremental cycle ergometer test to failure and four randomly ordered
30 min tests on a Icde cycle. The four tests were steady state, 30-sec. I-min, and 2-min.
with a work relief ratio of 1:1. Workloads were calculated according to the individual
anaerobic thresliold (IAT) and physiological variables (HR, RPE, BLa, and VO2) were
measured every 10-min. RPE was also acquired 30-min after the exercise bout and
multiplied by the duration to obtain a session RPE score. Heart rate data were collected
from a Polar Heart Rate Monitor and a summated HR score was calculated. All of the
physiological variables behaved similarly during interval training and steady state
training by rising from rest to 10-min and then leveling off. The session RPE score and
summatcd HR score were compared and found to be closely related suggesting that the
summated I-IR score and session RPE are essentially the same. In conclusion, the session
I<PE * duration provides a reliable method to rate the intensity of interval training.
Subject
Exercise - Physiological aspects
Cycling - Physiological aspects
Dynamometer