Comparison of Perceived Exertion Ratings during Graded Peak Cycle Exercise between Cigarette Smokers and Nonsmokers

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% VO2peak were compared between. Chest, Leg, and Overall RPE were similar at each % VO2peak. In the combined smokers and nonsmokers, RPE-Chest was lower ( p<.05) than the RPE-Overall at each % VO2peak. RPE-Leg did not differ from RPE-Overall at 50% VO2peak, but was higher ( p<.05) at 70% and 90% VO2peak. 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.