Comparison of perceived exertion ratings during graded peak cycle exercise between cigarette smokers and nonsmokers

Percept Mot Skills. 2010 Jun;110(3 Pt 1):761-71. doi: 10.2466/PMS.110.3.761-771.

Abstract

This study compared differentiated Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) for the chest (RPE-Chest) and legs (RPE-Legs) and undifferentiated ratings (RPE-Overall) between cigarette smokers (n = 10) and nonsmokers (n = 10) during graded, peak cycle exercise. Linear regression analyses expressed RPE-Chest, RPE-Leg, and RPE-Overall as a function of VO2 for smokers and nonsmokers. RPE equivalent to 50, 70, and 90% VO2 peak were compared between. Chest, Leg, and Overall RPE were similar at each % VO2 peak. In the combined smokers and nonsmokers, RPE-Chest was lower (p < .05) than the RPE-Overall at each % VO2 peak. RPE-Leg did not differ from RPE-Overall at 50% VO2 peak, but was higher (p < .05) at 70% and 90% VO2 peak. These results validate Assumption 4 for application of the Borg 15-category scale in that this assumption is also valid for differentiated RPE. Smoking did not influence the intensity of differentiated or undifferentiated RPE during graded cycle exercise.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Athletic Performance / physiology*
  • Exercise Test / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Judgment / physiology*
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Oxygen / blood*
  • Physical Endurance / physiology
  • Physical Exertion / physiology*
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Smoking / physiopathology
  • Smoking / psychology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Oxygen