Similarity in physiological and perceived exertion responses to exercise at continuous and intermittent critical power.

The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological responses [oxygen uptake (VO(2)), heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentrations ([BLa])] and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) response until exhaustion (TTE) at the continuous (CP(c)) and intermittent (CP(i)) critical power workloads. Ten moderately active men (25.5 ± 4.2 years, 74.1 ± 8.0 kg, 177.6 ± 4.9 cm) participated in this study. The incremental test was applied to determine the highest values of oxygen uptake (VO(2max)), heart rate (HR(max)), blood lactate concentrations ([BLa(max)]), and maximal aerobic power (MAP). Continuous and intermittent exhaustive predictive trials were performed randomly. The hyperbolic relation between power and time was used to estimate CP(c) and CP(i). CP(i) was derived from predictive trial results at an effort and recovery ratio of 30:30 s. Exercise at CP(c) and CP(i) as well as the physiological and RPE responses were measured until exhaustion. The values of physiological variables during CP(c) and CP(i) did not differ in either TTE test and were lower than the VO(2max), HR(max) and [BLa(max)] values. RPE was maximal at the end of exercise at CP(c) and CP(i). There was a high correlation between VO(2max) (L min(-1)) and CP(c) and CP(i) intensities (r ≥ 0.90) and between MAP, CP(c) and CP(i) (r ≥ 0.95). Similar physiological and RPE responses were found at CP(c) and CP(i) for the times analyzed.