Determination of ventilatory threshold based on rating of perceived exertion scale

Abstract

The objective of the study was to test the possibility of using the fixed value (12-13) of the Rating of Perceived scale (RPE scale), as a valid method for determination of ventilatory threshold (VT). The sample of the subjects included 32 physically active males (age: 22.3; TV: 180.5; TM: 75.5 kg; V02max: 57.1 mL/kg/min). During the continuous test of progressively increasing load on a treadmill, cardiorespiratory and other parameters were monitored using ECG and gas analyzer. Following the test, VT and V02max were determined. During the test, at each level, at the scale from 6 to 20, the subjects pointed the number that suited best their currently feeling of strain. The RPE threshold was defined as constant value of 12-13. Average values of ventilatory and RPE threshold were expressed by parameters that were monitored and then compared by using t-test for dependent samples. No significant difference was found between mean values of VT and RPE threshold, when they were expressed by relevant parameters: speed, load, heart rate, absolute and relative oxygen consumption. Fixed value (12-13) of RPE scale may be used to detect the exercise intensity that corresponds to ventilatory threshold.Cilj istrazivanja je bio da ce proveri mogucnost upotrebe fiksne vrednosti (12-13) Borgove (Borg) skale za subjektivnu procenu opterecenja (RPE skala), kao valjanog metoda za odredjivanje ventilacionog praga (VT). Uzorak ispitanika su cinila32 fizicki aktivna muskarca (srednje vrednosti:22,3 godine;TV 180,5 cm; TM 75,5 kg; V02 max 57,1 ml/kg u minuti.Tokom kontinuiranog testa progresivno rastuceg opterecenja na tredmilu, pomocu EKG i gasnog analizatora su kontinuirano praceni kardiorespiracioni i ostali parametri. Nakon testiranja odredjeni su VT i V02max. Ispitanici su tokom testa na svakom nivou na skali od 6 do 20 pokazivali broj koji najbolje odgovara njihovom trenutnom osecaju napora. RPE prag je definisan kao konstantna vrednost 12-13. Srednje vrednosti ventilacionog i RPE praga su izrazene putem parametara koji su praceni, a zatim uporedjeni pomocu Studentovog f-testa za zavisne uzorke. Nisu utvrdjene statisticki znacajne razlike izmedju srednjih vrednosti VT i RPE praga kada se izraze putem izmerenih relevantnih parametara: brzine okretanja trake, opterecenja, frekvencije rada srca, ventilacije pluca, frekvencije ritma disanja, apsolutne i relativne potrosnje kiseonika, kiseonickog pulsa, produkcije ugljen-dioksida, kolicnika respiracione razmene. Fiksna vrednost (12-13) Borgove skale za subjektivnu procenu opterecenja moze ce koristiti za otkrivanje intenziteta vezbanja koji korespondira s ventilacionim pragom.