Relevance of cognitive skills to perceived exertion in sport

A well-developed perceived exertion is the prerequisite for independent exercise regulation in leisure and health sports. The present study examined perceived exertion and its correlation to cognitive skills that can be assigned to behavioral and cognitive control. In this context, perceived exertion of 35 women amateur soccer players was recorded during a training session and analyzed with regard to current heart rate and cumulative training intensity. The study shows that cognitive performance speed and the perceived self-regulation competence are responsible for the moderation of the measured relationship between perceived exertion and heart rate parameters. Moreover, the study demonstrates that the two parameters of age and sport-specific experience have an influence as well. The results thus indicate the relevance of taking into account specific cognitive skills for perceived exertion with regard to autonomous exercise regulation.