Perceptual Responses during Prolonged Work

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine if cardiac frequency is a factor in the rating of perceived exertion. 10 fit male Ss were exposed to a design that used heat to manipulate cardiac frequency. Five treatments of various work loads in neutral and hot-dry environments were used to elicit unequal cardiac frequencies for equal work loads and equal cardiac frequencies for unequal work loads. Respiratory and body temperature variables were also collected. Multivariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference between ratings of perceived exertion of equal work loads even though cardiac frequency had been significantly elevated by the heat. The rating of perceived exertion seemed to follow alterations in work load when an increment of more than 200 to 300 kpm/min. was used. Ss also demonstrated ability to partial out thermal sensations from ratings of perceived exertion.