Comparison the rating perceived exertion at ventilatory threshold between genders

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to compare the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at ventilatory threshold (VT) during graded treadmill exercise between men and women. Participated 17 men (24.0 ± 3.3 years) and 17 women (22.5 ± 2.6 years) were submitted to two experimental sessions with a minimum interval of 48 hours: (I) anthropometric evaluation and instructions regarding the procedures, and (II) graded treadmill exercise. For statistical analysis, was employed used t Student test to verify possible differences between genders (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences between genders to RPE_VT (11.7 ± 1.8 and 12.2 ± 1.5, respectively). Although women had a higher RPE to exercise intensity based on absolute levels, these differences were minimized or disappeared when men and women were compared at similar relative exercise intensity. The result of present study showed that men and women had a similar RPE_VT between 12 and 13 ("light" and "something hard") during graded treadmill exercise.