Many aerobic exercise programmes are based on monitoring heart rate to keep it within a recommended range of 70-90% of maximum. Blood lactate levels may also be monitored as a means of determining exercise intensity, and the optimum level for training is thought to be the lactate threshold (LT). As these methods both require special equipment, they are not practical for home exercise prescription. The rating for perceived exertion (RPE) method is more appropriate as it is self-administered according to an individual's own perception of physical exertion. This report describes a preliminary study carried out to test an experimental design comparing the relationship between blood lactate levels, heart rate and RPE score during exercise, taking the LT as the accepted optimum intensity for training. A small sample of data is included for illustrative purposes. The preliminary findings indicate that the heart rate levels for subjects exercising to improve aerobic fitness could remain as low as 55-60% of maximum, and that RPE levels might be more realistically set at 10-11 for optimal results. It is also suggested that patients using the RPE method at a level of 10-11 are probably more likely to adhere to the exercise programme, which is perceived to be less stressful and can be achieved through brisk walking. Further work in the area is clearly indicated as a result of these findings.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)