A comparison of ratings of perceived exertion during stairmaster and treadmill exercise

Includes bibliographical references (pages [78]-85)To determine if differences existed between ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) obtained during StairMaster (SM) and treadmill (TM) exercise, nine subjects (2 males, 7 females) 18-30 yr of age performed 21 min of continuous exercise at approximately 60% VC>2max on each mode. Before testing, subjects were extensively trained on each mode and familiarized with testing procedures. During the SM and TM continuous exercise bouts, heart rate (HR) and RPE were measured every 3 min. Results indicated that SM exercise elicited significantly higher HR and RPE (P 0.05). A mode x time interaction effect was apparent for TM 6-min RPE (11.0 ? 2.1 vs 11.8 ? 1.9; P < 0.05). HR and RPE for SM were more highly correlated than HR and RPE for TM (r = 0.78 vs r = 0.46; P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that, moderate-intensity SM exercise at the same relative intensity was physiologically (HR) and perceptually (RPE^ harder than moderate-intensity TM exercise. The 6-20 RPE scale was found to be reliable for SM exercise (r = 0.78).M.S. (Master of Science