Original Article

Perceived Exertion Threshold: Comparison with ventilatory

thresholds and critical power

Seuil de pénibilité perçue à l’effort : Comparaison avec les seuils

ventilatoires et la puissance critique

Fábio Yuzo Nakamura 1, Nilo Massaru Okuno 1, Luiz Augusto Buoro Perandini 1,

Fernando Roberto de Oliveira 2; Martin Buchheit 3, Herbert Gustavo Simões 4

1
Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
2
Universidade Federal de Lavras
3
Picardie Jules Verne University, Amiens, France.
4
Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.

Address for correspondence (
):

Fábio Yuzo Nakamura
Grupo de Estudo das Adaptações Fisiológicas ao Treinamento (GEAFIT)
Centro de Educação Física e Esporte
Departamento de Educação Física
Universidade Estadual de Londrina
Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, km. 380, Campus Universitário, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
CEP 86015-990
Phone: 55(43) 3371.4238
Fax: 55(43) 3371.4144
Email: fabioy_nakamura@yahoo.com.br

Running title: Validity of Perceived Exertion Threshold

Abstract

Objective. – The aim of this study was to provide concurrent validity evidences to perceived

exertion threshold (PET) by comparing and establishing relationships with aerobic function

parameters derived from square-wave and incremental tests.

Methods. – Eleven male college students performed one incremental test to determine first

and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2, respectively), maximal oxygen uptake

( ), and maximal aerobic power (MAP); four predictive trials for the critical power

(CP) and PET estimations.

Results. – Oxygen consumption ( ) at VT1 and VT2 were 22.9 ± 4.2 and 35.8 ± 4.7 ml.kg-
1
.min-1, respectively. The mean was 40.3 ± 6.3 ml.kg-1.min-1. The PET (146 ± 31 W)

and CP (146 ± 33 W) did not differ from each other, and both estimates were between VT1

(121 ± 28 W) and VT2 (228 ± 36 W). Furthermore, all these submaximal indexes were lower

than MAP (278 ± 33 W). The correlations between PET and CP, expressed in relative terms

to body mass was r = 0.84. The correlations between PET and relative at VT1 (r = 0.76),

VT2 (r = 0.72) and (r = 0.73) were moderate.

Conclusion. – PET did not significantly differ from CP, and presented moderate correlations

with VT1, VT2 and derived from incremental test. Thus, it can be considered a valid

measure of aerobic capacity.

Keywords: Perceived exertion threshold; Critical power; Ventilatory threshold; Maximal

oxygen uptake.
Résumé

Objectifs. – Le but de cette étude était de démontrer la validité du seuil de pénibilité perçue à

l’effort (PET) à partir de relations avec des repères physiologiques caractérisant la fonction

aérobie, obtenus lors de tests incrémentées et à intensité constante.

Méthodes. – Onze étudiants masculins ont effectué 1) un test incrémenté pour déterminer le

premier (VT1) et second (VT2) seuil ventilatoire, la consommation maximale d’oxygène

( ) et la puissance maximale aérobie (MAP); 2) quatre exercices rectangulaires pour

l’estimation de la puissance critique (CP) et de PET.

Résultats. – La consommation d’oxygène ( ) à VT1 et VT2 était 22.9 ± 4.2 and 35.8 ± 4.7

ml.kg-1.min-1, respectivement. La moyenne était 40.3 ± 6.3 ml.kg-1.min-1. PET

(146 ± 31 W) et CP (146 ± 33 W) n’étaient pas significativement différent, et étaient tout

deux entre VT1 (121 ± 28 W) et VT2 (228 ± 36 W). De plus, toute ces intensités sous

maximales étaient inférieures à MAP (278 ± 33 W). La corrélation entre PET et CP, exprimés

de manière relative au poids de corps, était significative (r = 0.84). Les corrélations entre PET

et la relative à VT1 (r = 0.76), VT2 (r = 0.72) et (r = 0.73) étaient modérées.

Conclusion. – PET n’était pas significativement différent de CP, et présentait des corrélations

modérées avec VT1, VT2 et obtenues lors du test incrémental. Ceci suggère la validité

de PET comme une mesure indirecte des capacités aérobies.

Mots clés: Seuil de pénibilité perçue à l’effort; Puissance Critique; Seuils Ventilatoires;

Consommation maximal d’oxygène.

1. Introduction

The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) comprises a complex and integrated central

representation of several body functions that are acutely modified by exercise [13]. Although

simple to measure, it is considered accurate to estimate physical strain in both passive

estimation and active production settings. For this reason, RPE has been used to quantify a

wide range of exercise intensities [15,31,34] and to prescribe training at such intensities by

self-regulation [3,7,16,30].

Recently, Eston et al. [8-11] provided evidences showing that maximal oxygen uptake

( ) could be predicted from submaximal constant-load intensities (2-4 min) produced

by self-regulation at target RPE values. The measured at the end of each stage was

plotted against RPE to predict the value at RPE 20, and the predicted values were not

different from the observed ones. Furthermore, Okura and Tanaka [24] validated equations to

predict the anaerobic threshold and using demographic characteristics and the power

output corresponding to RPE 14-15 in incremental test. These evidences suggest that RPE can

be used in predictive models to evaluate aerobic function parameters.

Using 3-4 exhaustive square-wave tests, Nakamura et al. [21-23] outlined a method of

critical power (CP) estimation, which is defined as the maximum rate that muscle can keep up

“for a very long time without fatigue” [19], using the RPE responses. The linear regression

slope coefficients of the rate of rising RPE over time at each test (y axis) against its intensity

(x axis) presented a strong linear relationship. The x-intercept (called perceived exertion

threshold - PET) was considered the theoretical intensity corresponding to the maximal RPE

steady state, because the slope coefficient would be equal to zero. Besides not differing from

CP, PET did not differ from an indicator of maximal steady state. Thus, it can be also

considered an aerobic function parameter. However, it has not been compared with other

cardiorespiratory function measures.

 Therefore, the aim of the present study was to provide concurrent validity evidences to

PET by comparing it with aerobic function parameters derived from square-wave (CP) and

incremental (first and second ventilatory thresholds – VT1 and VT2 – and maximal aerobic

power – MAP) tests, and by establishing relationships between PET and CP, at VT1, VT2

and .

2. Material and methods

2.1. Subjects

Eleven male college students (age: 24.4 ± 3.7 years; weight: 76.5 ± 11.7 kg; height:

1.77 ± 0.4 m) took part in this study. Subjects were asked to refrain from severe physical

activity for 24-h prior to the tests. They were also instructed to be adequately hydrated and

not to have eaten for 3-h prior to each test. This study was approved by the local Ethics

Committee of Human Studies. Subjects were informed about the procedures and risks before

giving written consent.

2.2. Experimental design

The study was divided into three phases: (1) familiarization trials; (2) incremental test;

and (3) predictive trials. Tests were performed at approximately the same time of the day, at

least 3-h postprandial, and at room temperature ranging from 20 to 24oC. The study was

conducted within a two week period, with at least 24-h interval between successive tests.

2.3. Procedures

2.3.1. Ergometer

A Biotec 2100 (Cefise, Campinas, SP, Brazil) cycle ergometer with frictional flywheel

resistance was utilized in all tests. The seat height was adjusted according to the individual’s
lower limb length, so that legs were at near full extension during each pedal revolution. Toe

clips held the subjects’ feet fixed in pedal.

2.3.2. Familiarization trials

On alternate days, the subjects performed two severe exercise intensities on the

ergometer until voluntary exhaustion. All practice sessions were preceded by a 5-min warm-

up period at 30 W, followed by a rest period of equal duration. The cadence was fixed at 60

rpm. The exhaustion point was set by the incapacity of subjects to keep the target velocity for

a period greater than 5-s despite strong verbal encouragement. In general, the practice trials

caused exhaustion in 2-15 min. The aim of these practice trials was to familiarize the subjects

to the type of effort that they would perform during the predictive trials for critical power

model parameters, as well as PET estimation. These trials were also used to guide the choice

of cycling power outputs for the subsequent phases of the study. These results were not used

in any analyses.

During the familiarization trials, subjects were introduced to the use of a 15-point

Borg scale (Borg, 1982). The instructions given to the subjects included information about

anchoring of the scale at the extreme values (6 – a very light activity near resting metabolic

rate; 20 – the greatest effort sensation already experienced) and the correspondence of the

intermediary values of scale to verbal attributes related to graded RPE levels.

2.3.3. Incremental test

This session was performed to determine VT1, VT2, , and maximal aerobic

power (MAP). The subjects started the incremental test cycling at 30 W, and the power output

was increased by 30 W every minute until the subject could no longer maintain the pedal

cadence of 60 rpm despite verbal encouragement. The highest 30-s rolling average of
data during the last stage was taken as . was accepted as a maximal index when at

least two of the following criteria was met: occurrence of plateau (< 150 ml/min

increase between two consecutive stages), RER value above 1.10, and/or heart rate in excess

of 90% of age-predicted maximum. The MAP was calculated using the following equation

[17]:

Pulmonary gas exchange was assessed in the breath-by-breath mode (MetaLyzer 3B,

Cortex), with metabolic cart calibration being performed using ambient air and gas of known

O2 (16%) and CO2 (5%) concentrations, and turbine flow-meter was calibrated using a 3-l

syringe. This equipment presents high reliability and low inter-measurement variability [18].

2.3.4 Ventilatory threshold assessment

The determination of VT1 and VT2 respected the Wasserman et al. [35] procedures.

The / and / data were plotted against time during the incremental exercise test.

The linear regression between and time throughout the incremental test was utilized to

estimate at VT1 and VT2. VT1 was identified from the first abrupt increase in the /

curve, without concomitant / increase. VT2 was identified from the systematic

increase in the / curve concomitant to a second evident increase in / . Based on

the above criteria, two experienced researchers independently assessed the ventilatory

thresholds. If there was a disagreement, a third experienced investigator was involved in the

process [4].

2.3.5. Predictive trials

 Four square-wave exhaustive tests were used for the CP and PET estimations. All tests

respected the same procedures as conducted in the familiarization trials, except by the fact

that was measured breath-by-breath along the whole test duration. The participants were

not informed about the power output against which they were requested to cycle and neither

the expected duration of each predictive test. To fit the individual results to the critical power

model, the following equation was solved by non-linear regression.

Where AWC corresponds to the anaerobic work capacity, which is equivalent to the total

work performed above CP during the predictive trials.

During the predictive trials the subjects were asked to report the RPE, corresponding

to a number on the 15-point Borg scale [2] fixed in front of them, whenever they felt that the

exertion sensation was increased. The first reported value was free and could be chosen as

soon as the subject felt able to accurately point the RPE levels.

The increase of RPE as a function of time until the attainment of maximal level (19 to

20) presented an approximately linear relationship in all subjects (Figure 1). The slope

coefficients of the regression lines were proportional to the power output performed during

the predictive trials.

*** Figure 1 near here ***

The relationship between RPE increase rates (y axis) and exercise intensities (power

output – x axis) presented a strong linearity in all investigated subjects. Individually, the PET

intensity was defined as the intersection point of the regression line in the power axis (Figure
2). In theory, it represents the maximum intensity at which the RPE increase rate would be

equal to zero (“steady state”).

*** Figure 2 near here ***

2.4. Statistical Analyses

The Gaussian distribution of data was verified by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (with

Lilliefor´s correction). One-way ANOVA for repeated measures followed by Bonferroni post

hoc test were utilized to compare PET and CP, power outputs at VT1, VT2 and MAP. The

same statistical test was used to compare the at the end of predictive trials and .

The repeated measures data were checked for sphericity using the Mauchly’s test, and

whenever the test was violated we performed the necessary technical corrections through the

Greenhouse-Geisser test. Pearson’s product-moment was performed to assess the relationship

between PET and CP, at LT1, LT2, and . All these measures were expressed in

relative values. Significance level was set at 5% (P < 0.05). For the data analyses, it was used

the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 11.5 for Windows. Data

are presented as mean ± SD.

3. Results

During the incremental test, the at VT1 and VT2 were 22.9 ± 4.2 and 35.8 ± 4.7

ml.kg-1.min-1, respectively. The mean was 40.3 ± 6.3 ml.kg-1.min-1.

Figure 3 shows that in all predictive trials, the final did not differ significantly

from obtained in incremental test (P > 0.05).

*** Figure 3 near here ***

 Critical power modeling presented a high goodness of fit to the performance data,

since the coefficient of determination (R2) approached the unity (0.977 ± 0.210). The AWC

amounted 23905 ± 2974 J. The R2 values corresponding to the linear regression between RPE

and time for overall predictive trials of PET estimation averaged 0.968 ± 0.034. The linear

regression slope coefficients of the rate of rising RPE over time (y axis) and the intensity

indicator (power output – x axis) also presented a strong linear relationship (0.958 ± 0.026).

Table 1 presents the power outputs corresponding to PET, CP, VT1, VT2 and MAP.

The PET and CP did not differ from each other, and both estimates were between VT1 and

VT2. All these submaximal indexes were lower than MAP.

*** Table 1 near here ***

The correlations between PET, expressed in relative terms to body mass (1.92 ± 0.46

W.kg-1), and CP, also expressed in relative terms (1.93 ± 0.50 W.kg-1), was r = 0.84 (P <

0.05). The correlations between PET and relative at VT1 (r = 0.76), VT2 (r = 0.72) and

(r = 0.73) were moderate, but significant (P < 0.05). For comparative purposes,

relative CP was also correlated with the aerobic indexes derived from the incremental test.

The correlations were higher for CP and relative at VT1 (r = 0.84), VT2 (r = 0.86) and

(r = 0.88), compared to PET.

4. Discussion

The purpose of the present study was to provide validity evidences to PET by

comparing and correlating it with other aerobic function parameters derived from square-

wave and incremental tests. Our results demonstrated that PET and CP were not different,
besides being highly correlated. In addition, PET was moderately correlated with different

aerobic indexes ( at VT1 and VT2, and ).

The similarity between PET and CP confirmed previous reports [21-23]. Indeed, the

PET concept is derived from some of the critical power model assumptions. It is suggested

that the increase of RPE is associated with the AWC depletion rate [(P – CP)], which is

regarded to an energy store comprised of phosphagen pool, and a source related to anaerobic

glycolysis. The consequent cellular acid-basic disturbances seem to be the main afferent

signal source to RPE increase in severe exercise. This contention was supported indirectly by

the significant correlation found between blood lactate concentration and RPE along

intermittent predictive trials [25] designed to estimate intermittent critical power [1,6].

Therefore, the theoretical maximal RPE steady state (i.e. PET) should coincide with CP, since

no AWC is utilized at this threshold intensity.

Above CP it is expected the attainment of maximal levels of [12]. Our results

confirmed this fact since the predictive trials at 130, 148, 172 and 200% of CP elicited the

value recorded in incremental test. According to Poole et al. [26,27], CP corresponds

to the maximal steady state. Consequently, PET has similar physiological significance,

which was confirmed by Nakamura et al. [22]. However, it should be pointed out that we

have observed attainment during running at critical velocity in the treadmill until

exhaustion [14]. Unfortunately, we have not tested constant load exercise at PET yet. This

trial must be included in future studies.

The power output associated with PET and CP were between VT1 e VT2. Moritani et

al. [20] and Pouilly et al. [28] have shown that CP is equivalent to VT1. On the other hand,

Smith and Jones [33] demonstrated that CP corresponds to VT2. Therefore, there is no clear

evidence about the coincidence of CP and PET with any one of the ventilatory thresholds, and

it can be at least partially explained by the protocol-dependent characteristic of these

cardiopulmonary measures [29]. Nevertheless, PET was moderately correlated with VT1, VT2

and (r = 0.72-0.76), indicating that PET has potential in assessing aerobic fitness. CP

presented slightly higher correlations (r = 0.84-0.88) with aerobic function parameters

obtained in incremental test. These results also reinforce the validity of CP as an aerobic

parameter.

Previously, Smith et al. [32] have shown that CP, expressed both in absolute and

relative terms, was highly correlated with VT1, VT2 and (r = 0.68 – 0.93). However,

when correlated with 17 and 40 km cycling time trials, the CP expressed in relative terms

provided better results than absolute CP. These results support the use of relative CP as an

aerobic index, even in cycle ergometer, which does not involve body mass displacement.

The slightly lower correlations reported between PET and VT1, VT2 and ,

when compared with CP, can be attributed to the subjective nature of the measure. Though, it

should be emphasized that PET presented acceptable reproducibility levels for practical

applications (ICC = 0.85), with relatively high within-subject agreement as assessed by the

Bland and Altman’s 95% limits of agreement technique [23]. Doherty et al. [5] also have

reported high ICC levels (0.78 – 0.87) for RPE recorded in severe trials in treadmill of 2-min

duration. Thus, although subjective, RPE has been shown to be reliable for such testing

conditions, providing accurate estimates of PET.

In conclusion, as PET did not significantly differ from CP, and since it presented

moderate correlations with VT1, VT2 and derived from incremental test, it can be

considered a valid measure of aerobic capacity.

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Table 1

Mean ± SD of PET, CP, VT1, VT2 and MAP (n = 11).

PET (W) CP (W) VT1 (W) VT2 (W) MAP (W)

Mean 146b,c,d 146b,c,d 121a,c,d 228a,b,d 278a,b,c

SD 31 33 28 36 33
a
Significantly different from CP and PET (P < 0.05)
b
Significantly different from VT1 (P < 0.05)
c
Significantly different from VT2 (P < 0.01)
d
Significantly different from MAP (P < 0.01)
Figures’ legend

Fig. 1. Increase of the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) as a function of time during

predictive tests of a representative subject.

Fig. 2. Determination of the perceived exertion threshold (PET) through linear regression

between rating of perceived exertion (RPE) increase rate and power output of a representative

subject.

Fig. 3. Oxygen consumption at the end of predictive trials. The horizontal line indicates the

group’s mean value.

 24

22

20

18

16
RPE

14 285 W
225 W
12 195 W
189 W
10

6
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Time (s)

Fig. 1.
 0,05

0,045

0,04
RPE increase rate (units . s-1)

0,035

0,03

0,025

0,02

0,015

0,01

0,005

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Power (W)

Fig. 2.
 60

50

VO2max
40
VO2 (l.min-1)

30

20

10

0
187 ± 32 W 212 ± 34 W 247 ± 39 W 286 ± 37 W
Predictive trials

Fig. 3.