Correlation between physiological variables and rate of perceived exertion during a water exercises classes

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the correlation between heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), blood lactate concentration [lac] and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) during a water exercise class (WEC).MethodThe study included fifteen young women (18–25 yrs). VO2 and HR were collected every 20 seconds; [Lac] and RPE were collected every 5 minutes and 50 seconds. Normality was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test and data analysis using Pearson‘s correlation.ResultsVO2 showed a significant correlation with HR and [Lac] throughout the class. When considering the main body of the workout, in which groups of movements were divided into six stages, HR and [Lac] were correlated at five of the stages.ConclusionHR and [Lac] are alternative measures because they are easily determined, in addition to being the most reliable parameters for prescribing and controlling the intensity in water exercise classes in young women