Similarity in physiological and perceived exertion responses to exercise at continuous and intermittent critical power

摘要

The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological responses [oxygen uptake (VO 2), heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentrations ([BLa])] and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) response until exhaustion (TTE) at the continuous (CP c) and intermittent (CP i) critical power workloads. Ten moderately active men (25.5 ± 4.2 years, 74.1 ± 8.0 kg, 177.6 ± 4.9 cm) participated in this study. The incremental test was applied to determine the highest values of oxygen uptake (VO 2max), heart rate (HR max), blood lactate concentrations ([BLa max]), and maximal aerobic power (MAP). Continuous and intermittent exhaustive predictive trials were performed randomly. The hyperbolic relation between power and time was used to estimate CP c and CP i. CP i was derived from predictive trial results at an effort and recovery ratio of 30:30 s. Exercise at CP c and CP i as well as the physiological and RPE responses were measured until exhaustion. The values of physiological variables during CP c and CP i did not differ in either TTE test and were lower than the VO 2max, HR max and [BLa max] values. RPE was maximal at the end of exercise at CP c and CP i. There was a high correlation between VO 2max (L min-1) and CP c and CP i intensities (r C 0.90) and between MAP, CP c and CP i (r C 0.95). Similar physiological and RPE responses were found at CP c and CP i for the times analyzed.