Increases in RPE Rating Predict Fatigue Accumulation Without Changes in Heart Rate Zone Distribution After 4-Week Low-Intensity High-Volume Training Period in High-Level Rowers

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of training load quantification using heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)-based methodology, and the relationship between internal training load parameters and subjective training status (Fatigue) in high-level rowers during volume increased low-intensity training period. Methods: Training data from 19 high-level rowers (age 23.5 ± 5.9 years; maximal oxygen uptake 58.9 ± 5.8 ml·min(−1)·kg(−1)) were collected during a 4-week volume increased training period. All individual training sessions were analyzed to quantify training intensity distribution based on the HR time-in-zone method (i.e., HR Z1, HR Z2, and HR Z3) determined by the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1/VT2). Internal training load was calculated using session RPE (sRPE) to categorize training load by effort (i.e., sRPE1, sRPE2, and sRPE3). The Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) questionnaire was implemented after every week of the study period. Results: No differences were found between the respective HR and effort-based zone distributions during the baseline week (p > 0.05). Compared to HR Z1, sRPE1 was significantly lower in weeks 2–4 (p < 0.05), while sRPE2 was higher in weeks 2–3 compared to HR Z2 (p < 0.05) and, in week 4, the tendency (p = 0.06) of the higher amount of sRPE3 compared to HR Z3 was found. There were significant increases in RESTQ-Sport stress scales and decreases in recovery scales mostly during weeks 3 and 4. Increases in the Fatigue scale were associated with the amounts of sRPE2 and sRPE3 (p = 0.011 and p = 0.008, respectively), while no associations with Fatigue were found for HR-based session quantification with internal or external training load variables. Conclusion: During a low-intensity 4-week training period with increasing volume, RPE-based training quantification indicated a shift toward the harder rating of sessions with unchanged HR zone distributions. Moderate and Hard rated sessions were related to increases in Fatigue. Session rating of perceived exertion and effort-based training load could be practical measures in combination with HR to monitor adaptation during increased volume, low-intensity training period in endurance athletes.