Peak oxygen uptake measured during a perceptually-regulated exercise test is reliable in community-based manual wheelchair users

This study compares test-retest reliability and peak exercise responses from ramp-incremented (RAMP) and maximal perceptually-regulated (PRETmax) exercise tests during arm crank exercise in individuals reliant on manual wheelchair propulsion (MWP). Ten untrained participants completed four trials over 2-weeks (two RAMP (0-40 W + 5-10 W . min(-1)) trials and two PRETmax. PRETmax consisted of five, 2-min stages performed at Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) 11, 13, 15, 17 and 20). Participants freely changed the power output to match the required RPE. Gas exchange variables, heart rate, power output, RPE and affect were determined throughout trials. The (V) over dot O-2peak from RAMP (14.8 +/- 5.5 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1)) and PRETmax (13.9 +/- 5.2 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1)) trials were not different (P = 0.08). Measurement error was 1.7 and 2.2 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1) and coefficient of variation 5.9% and 8.1% for measuring (V) over dot O-2peak from RAMP and PRETmax, respectively. Affect was more positive at RPE 13 (P = 0.02), 15 (P = 0.01) and 17 (P = 0.01) during PRETmax. Findings suggest that PRETmax can be used to measure (V) over dot O-2peak in participants reliant on MWP and leads to a more positive affective response compared to RAMP.