Physiological correlates with perceived exertion during deep water running.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived exertion and physiological variables during deep water running. Deep water running to VO2 peak was performed in 3-min. stages at leg speeds controlled by a metronome. VO2 and heart rate were continuously monitored by open circuit spirometry and radiotelemetry. Perceived exertion was measured using Borg's 6 to 20-point scale. Multiple regression analysis with a forward solution was used to establish the relations of the measures of perceived exertion with the measures of oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, pulmonary ventilation, respiratory exchange ratio, and respiratory rate. %VO2 max was the most important variable predicting perceived exertion. Men and women (ns = 12) reported using different sensory cues to perceive exertion during deep water running.