This study examined patterns of responses for physiological and perceptual variables during cycle ergometry at a constant rate of perceived exertion (RPE) within the moderate and heavy exercise intensity domains. Nineteen (mean age 21.3 ± 0.5 years; 43.4 ± 2.0 mL·kg
?1·min
?1 V ? O 2 Peak ) moderately trained cyclists performed an incremental test to exhaustion and two 60 min constant RPE rides at the RPE corresponding to the gas exchange threshold (RPE
GET) and 15% above the GET (RPE
GET+15%). Oxygen consumption ( V ? O
2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), minute ventilation ( V ? E ), breathing frequency ( ? b ), and power output (PO) were monitored throughout the rides. Polynomial regression analyses showed V ? O
2, RER, HR, and V ? E (correlation = ?0.85 to ?0.98) tracked the decreases in PO required to maintain a constant RPE. Only ? b tracked RPE during the moderate and heavy intensity rides. Repeated measures ANOVAs indicated that V ? O
2 during the 60 min rides at RPE
GET was not different (p > 0.05) from V ? O
2 at GET from the incremental test to exhaustion. Thus, monitoring intensity using an RPE associated with the GET is sustainable for up to 60 min of cycling exercise and a common mechanism may mediate ? b and the perception of effort during moderate and heavy intensity cycle ergometry.
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