Acevedo, E. O., Kraemer, R. R., Haltrom, R. W., Tryniecki, J. L., Powell, K., & Gaydos, P. (1998). Perceptual responses at running velocities proximal to the onset of blood lactate accumulation. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 34.

This study examined changes in effort sense (RPE) and affect (Feeling Scale) at three running intensities: VO2 at 10% below 4 mM, VO2 at 4 mM, and VO2 at 10% above 4 mM.

It was found that feeling states are related curvilinearly to exercise intensity. RPE and feeling states were not related over the range of intensities. However, at the highest intensity RPE and feeling states were negatively related while RPE and exercise intensity were positively related.

How an individual feels or interprets an exercise sensation and their ratings of perceived exertion are different. But as exercise intensity becomes less ambiguous, that is, the intensity gets into lactate accumulation ranges, feelings and ratings are closer but negatively related.

Implication. How one feels about exercise and their ratings of exertion of the same exercise change differently at low levels of exercise intensity (<4 mM). At intensities beyond 4 mM of accumulated lactate as RPE increases feeling states decrease.

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