The effects of specificity of training on rating of perceived exertion at the lactate threshold

To determine the effects of cycle and run training on rating of perceived exertion at the lactate threshold (LT), college men completed a 40-session training program in 10 weeks (n=6 run training,n=5 cycle training,n=5 controls). Pre-and post-training variables were measured during graded exercise tests on both the bicycle ergometer and treadmill. ANOVA on the pre- and post-training difference scores resulted in similar improvements in \(\dot V_{O_{2max} } \) for both testing protocols, regardless of training mode. The run training group increased \(\dot V_{O_2 } \) at the LT by 58.5% on the treadmill protocol and by 20.3% on the cycle ergometer. Cycle trainers increased \(\dot V_{O_2 } \) LT only during cycle ergometry (+38.7%). No changes were observed in the control group. No differences for RPE at the LT were found before or after training, or between testing protocols for any group. Perception of exercise intensity at the LT ranged from “very light” to “light”. The relationship between RPE and \(\% \dot V_{O_2 \max } \) was altered by the specific mode of training, with trained subjects having a lower RPE at a given \(\% \dot V_{O_2 \max } \) (no change in RPE at max.). It was concluded that RPE at the LT was not affected by training, despite the fact that after training the LT occurs at a higher work rate and was associated with higher absolute and relative metabolic and cardiorespiratory demands.