Differentiated ratings of perceived exertion in upper body exercise

This study examined whether differentiated ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) (local; RPE(L) and central; RPE(C)) and overall RPE (RPE(O)) were different between exercise modes (upper- versus lower body) and/or changed after upper body training, providing relevant input for upper body exercise prescription/regulation. Eight rowers completed an incremental cycling test (CY), and incremental handcycle (HC) tests before (HC(pre)) and after three weeks of handcycle training (HC(post)). RPEc was higher during CY (17.4±2.4) compared to HC(post) (15.9±1.9). However, RPEo was higher during HC(post) (9.1±0.6) compared to CY (8.3±1.1). During the HC tests, RPE(L) was consistently higher than RPE(O) at the same PO. Training resulted in higher RPEc (HC(pre): 14.6±2.6; HC(post): 15.9±1.9) and RPEo (HC(pre): 7.9±0.9; HC(post): 9.1±0.6). No differences were found for RPE(L) between CY and HC(post) (8.7±1.1; 9.3±0.4) and after HC training (HC(pre): 9.1±1.0; HC(post): 9.3±0.4). At the point of exhaustion, RPEc was higher in CY than during HC(pre) and HC(post), suggesting RPE(C) is not causing exercise termination in HC. Furthermore, RPE(L) is perceived higher than RPE(O) during all stages of the incremental HC tests compared to CY. This suggests that in contrast to cycling, local factors during arm work are perceived more strongly than central or overall cues of exertion.