Rating of perceived exertion in maximal incremental tests during head-out water-based aerobic exercises

The present study aimed to assess the relationship between rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and percentage of peak oxygen uptake () during three head-out water-based aerobic exercises. In addition, the RPE at the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) was also compared among them. Twenty young women performed head-out water-based maximal tests for the exercises stationary running (SR), frontal kick (FK) and cross-country skiing (CCS). RPE was monitored during the tests and the values corresponding to VT2 and training zones corresponding to 50-59%, 60-69%, 70-79%, 80-89% and were determined. Regression analysis, descriptive statistics and ANOVA with repeated measures were used. Significant relationships were observed between the RPE and (r=0.858-0.893; P<0.001) for all head-out water-based aerobic exercises. Average RPE ranged from 12.1-12.7 in the training zone corresponding to 50-59%, from 13.7-14.8 to 60-69%, from 15.8-16.4 to 70-79%, from 17.3-18.1 to 80-89% and from 18.5-18.9 to . No significant differences were found among the three head-out water-based aerobic exercises at VT2 (P>0.05; SR: 16.1 +/- 0.9, FK: 16.7 +/- 1.5, CCS: 15.9 +/- 1.3). The results support the use of RPE to control the relative intensity of training during head-out water-based aerobic exercises and indicate values near to 16-17 when targeting VT2 intensity for young women.