Abstract
Problem: Perceived exertion belongs to standard methods used in both exercise testing and prescription. Aim of this study was to describe differences in perceived exertion during aerobic trainings on bicycle ergometer in patiens treated with beta-blockers.
Method: Subjects were patients (males and females) with diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and/or hypertension, treated with betablockers, sedentary, of age 40-70 years (N =15). Subjects underwent 5 identical exercise trainings on bicycle ergometer, each lasting 45 min, with a target exercise intensity 60 % VO2max.
Subjects estimated perceived exertion according to 15-grade Borg's RPE scale (1998) every 5 min. Results and conclusion: RPE values were increasing during the continuous workload in a logaritmic function.
During first 5 min on the target workload, RPE increased on average 1,6 grade. During next 20 min, the increase was on average 11% (cca 1 grade on the scale, p<0,05), and in the end of the continuous workload, it decreased as an anticipation of the end of the training.
With increasing number of trainings, average RPE values on target workload were slightly decreasing. For clinical use of RPE it is beneficial to count also with differences of perceived exertion in time.