Perceived Exertion Responses to Exercise Differ for Progressively Increasing and Decreasing Order of Intensity: A Crossover Design Study

The effects of exercise intensity on the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) have been widely studied. However, in most of these studies, the contraction intensities were provided in a randomized order.

This study aimed to examine the influence of intensity order on RPE.

During the first period, three trials of isometric contractions were performed at three different target intensities in the following order: 25%, 50%, 75% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in group A and in the reverse order: 75%, 50%, 25% of MVC in group B. Each group’s intensity order provided during the first period was reversed during the second period. The RPE was measured at each target intensity.

There was a significant difference in the perceived intensity at 75% of MVC between groups during the first period. The perceived intensity of 75% of MVC in group A during the second period and group B during the first period was significantly lower than the target intensity.

The order of exercise intensity affected the perceived exertion responses in this study. When establishing an exercise program consisting of varying intensities, practitioners should consider the order of intensity implementation.