Syfte. Att kartlägga förekomsten av muskuloskeletala besvär hos kvinnlig och manlig ambulanspersonal och att analysera muskuloskeletala besvär i relation till kön, ålder, anställningstid, utbildning och självskattad fysisk belastning. Bakgrund. Arbetsbelastningen för ambulanssjukvården ökar världen över. Arbetet i ambulans innefattar hög fysisk belastning vilket medför hög risk för muskuloskeletala besvär där smärtor i nedre delen av ryggen är dominerande. Design. En kvantitativ tvärsnittstudie med deskriptiv och jämförande design. Metod. Studien genomfördes genom en webbaserad enkät som besvarades av kvinnlig (n=24) och manlig (n=62) ambulanspersonal verksamma på fyra orter i Sverige. Enkäten omfattade bakgrundsinformation om deltagarna. Frågor om de upplevt besvär i nacke, bröstrygg, ländrygg eller axlar/skuldror de senaste sju dagarna samt självskattad fysisk belastning vid stationsarbete och utryckning. Analyser gjordes i statistikprogrammet SPSS 23.0 med t-test och chi 2-test. Resultat. Kvinnlig ambulanspersonal rapporterade 8 (33 %) att de upplevt besvär i nacke, 6 (25 %) i bröstrygg, 11 (46 %) i ländrygg och 6 (25 %) i axlar/skuldror. Manlig ambulanspersonal rapporterade 18 (29 %) att de upplevt besvär i nacke, 15 (24 %) i bröstrygg, 31 (50 %) i ländrygg och 19 (31 %) i axlar/skuldror. Totalt rapporterade 53 (62 %) deltagare att de upplevt besvär. Resultatet visar högre grad av självskattad fysisk belastning vid stationsarbete hos deltagarna med muskuloskeletala besvär. Slutsats. Muskuloskeletala besvär är vanligt förekommande hos ambulanspersonal. Det finns ett behov om ökad kunskap om orsaker till muskuloskeletala besvär och hur dessa kan förebyggas för att främja god hälsa hos ambulanspersonal. Forskning kan fokusera på hur ambulanspersonal med muskuloskeletala besvär upplever sin hälsa och om ambulanspersonalen upplever begränsning i arbetet relaterat till besvären. / Aim. To identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among female and male ambulance personnel and analyze musculoskeletal disorders in relation to gender, age, employment and rate of perceived exertion. Background. Workload for the ambulance service increases worldwide. Working in an ambulance includes high physical strain that leads to high risk of musculoskeletal disorders where pain in the lower part of the back is dominant. Design. A quantitative cross-sectional study with descriptive and comparative design. Method. The study was conducted using an online survey answered by female (n=24) and male (62) ambulance personnel working in four ambulance stations in Sweden. The questionnaire included background information about the participants and questions about self-reported musculoskeletal disorder in neck, upper back, lower back or shoulders for the last seven days as well as physical strain at station work and emergency call outs. Analyses were conducted in SPSS 23.0 whit independet t-test and chi-square test. Results. Of the female ambulance personnel eight (33 %) reported discomfort in the neck, 6 (25 %) at the upper back, 11 (46 %) at the low back and 6 (25 %) in the shoulders. Among male ambulance personnel reported 18 (29 %) discomfort at the neck, 15 (24 %) at the upper back, 31 (50 %) at the low back and 19 (31 %) in the shoulders. Totally 53 (62 %) reported some form of musculoskeletal disorder. The results show higher levels of self-reported physical strain at station work among participants with musculoskeletal disorders than those without. Conclusion. Musculoskeletal disorders are common among ambulance personnel. There is a need for more knowledge about the causes of musculoskeletal disorders and prevention of these to promote good health among ambulance personnel. Research may focus on how ambulance personnel with musculoskeletal disorders perceive their health, and if ambulance personnel are experiencing limitation in work related to musculoskeletal disorders or not.

Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) relates to how ‘hard’ or ‘easy’ an exercise feels. The Borg 6-20 RPE scale is the most widely used scale to estimate the overall, peripheral and central perception of effort. To date, there are a limited number of studies on the use and efficacy of perceived exertion in persons with spinal cord injury and/or disease. The findings from these studies are also equivocal. Therefore, the aims of this thesis were to assess: i) the relationship between the RPE and physical and physiological markers of exercise intensity during arm cranking exercise in able-bodied and individuals with spinal cord disease, ii) the efficacy of sub-maximal RPE values to predict peak oxygen uptake during arm cranking exercise in able-bodied and paraplegic individuals using different exercise protocols, iii) the scalar property of the RPE during arm cranking exercise in able-bodied and paraplegic individuals. To achieve these goals, the thesis has been broken down to a series of seven studies. In each of these studies, except study 6, a group of able-bodied and a group of paraplegic participants were recruited to asses these hypotheses. Paraplegic individuals had spinal cord injury with neurological levels at or below the sixth thoracic vertebra (T6) or flaccid paralysis as a result of poliomyelitis infection. These individuals were physically active and participated in sports like wheelchair basketball, weightlifting, wheelchair racing and table tennis at both professional and recreational levels. Able-bodied participants were healthy and free from pre-existing injuries and physically active but not arm-trained. There were strong relationships between the RPE and each of the physiological and physical indices of exercise intensity during arm cranking exercise regardless of group or gender. Peak oxygen uptake can be predicted with reasonable accuracy from sub-maximal oxygen uptake values elicited during a sub-maximal perceptually-guided, graded exercise test for paraplegic individuals but not for able-bodied participants. It has also been shown that peak oxygen uptake can be predicted from power output using the equation prescribed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM, 2006). Furthermore, for able-bodied participants using estimation procedures, a passive process in which an individual is asked to rate how ‘hard’ or ‘easy’ an exercise feels, the ramp exercise test provided more accurate prediction of peak oxygen uptake compared to the graded exercise test. For paraplegic persons using estimation procedures, the graded exercise test provided more accurate prediction of peak oxygen uptake compared to the ramp exercise test. Finally, the scalar property of the RPE (i.e., similar proportions of time at a given RPE) was evident during arm cranking exercise regardless of group. In conclusion, the prediction of peak oxygen uptake from sub-maximal exercise tests would provide a safer environment of exercise testing. In addition, using a sub-maximal protocol would make peak oxygen uptake more available for sedentary and clinical population compared to the graded exercise test to volitional exhaustion. Prediction of peak oxygen uptake from power output using the ACSM equation would make the estimation of peak oxygen uptake more available for large groups of people. Similar proportions of time were observed at a given RPE regardless of group or exercise intensity. The early RPE responses will give an indicator for how long a participant is going to exercise. This has important implications for rehabilitation settings. Based on the RPE responses the tester or the observer can increase or decrease the work rate to enable the participant to exercise for the desired duration.

A presente dissertação é constituida de duas partes. A primeira parte teve como objetivo determinar o perfil antropométrico e o consumo alimentar de atletas de Tênis profissionais e amadores. Foram avaliados parâmetros antropométricos (massa corporal, altura, circunferências e dobras cutâneas) e o consumo alimentar pelo diário alimentar de 3 dias. Não foi observada diferença significativa no perfil antropométrico de atletas amadores e profissionais. Com relação ao consumo alimentar, ambos os grupos demonstraram baixa ingestão de carboidrato (CHO) (AM: 6,3±0,5 g/kg/dia e PRO: 6,5±0,7 g/kg/dia) quando comparada às recomendações atuais disponíveis na literatura. Estes dados reforçam a importância do planejamento nutricional para estes atletas. Na segunda parte, foi avaliado o efeito da suplementação de CHO sobre a percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE), a resposta hormonal, a concentração de IgA salivar e o desempenho durante uma partida de Tênis com duração de 180 minutos. A PSE apresentou aumento no decorrer da partida, porém não foi detectada diferença entre as condições experimentais - placebo (PLA) e CHO (P>0,05). Com relação a PSE da sessão, a ingestão de CHO parece promover tendência de redução (P=0,08, d=0,5) após o término do jogo. O consumo de CHO atenuou a concentração de cortisol salivar (P<0,05). Não houve nenhuma influência da ingestão do CHO sobre a concentração de testosterona e IgA salivar. O desempenho dos tenistas também não foi maximizado pelo consumo de CHO. Estes resultados indicam que o consumo de CHO durante a partida de Tênis atenua o aumento do cortisol salivar e a percepção global de estresse / The present study is composed of two parts. The first part aimed to determine the anthropometric profile and dietary intake of professional and amateur tennis players. It was evaluated the anthropometric parameters (body mass, height, circumferences and skin folds) and the food intake by a 3 day food diary. There was no significant difference in the anthropometric profile of amateur and professional athletes. Regarding food intake both groups had a low carbohydrate (CHO) intake (AM: 6.3 ± 0.5 g / kg / day and PRO: 6.5 ± 0.7 g / kg / day) when compared to current recommendations available in the literature. These data reinforce the importance of nutritional planning for these athletes. In the second part of the present study, it was assessed the effect of CHO supplementation on the perceived exertion (RPE), salivary hormones, salivary IgA and performance during a tennis match lasting 180 minutes. RPE showed an increase during the match, but no difference was detected between the experimental conditions placebo (PLA) and CHO (p>0,05). Regarding session RPE, the CHO intake seemed to promote a trend to reduction (P = 0.08, d = 0.5) after the end of the game. The CHO intake also attenuated the salivary cortisol response to the match (P <0.05). There was no influence of CHO ingestion on testosterone and IgA responses. The players performance has not been maximized by the CHO supplementation. These results indicate that CHO intake during the Tennis match attenuates the increase in salivary cortisol and the overall perception of stress

A percepção de esforço (PSE) e a fadiga tem grande participação do cérebro durante o exercício físico, no entanto, pouco se sabe quanto às áreas associadas a essas respostas. Dessa forma, o presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar e comparar as áreas cerebrais associadas à percepção de esforço durante exercício de ciclismo em diferentes intensidades e níveis de treinamento. Participaram do estudo 24 sujeitos adultos; 12 ciclistas (75,6 ± 8,4 kg; 175 ± 5,3 cm; 24,4 ± 7,1 anos; atividade física 5,4 ± 1,5 vezes por semana) e 12 não ciclistas (treinados) (79,7 ± 10,5 kg; 177 ± 9,1 cm; 27,4 ± 4,8 anos; atividade física 2,3 ± 1,3 vezes por semana). Os sujeitos foram posicionados ao ergômetro de ciclismo acoplado a ressonância magnética e realizaram um teste intervalado de carga incremental constituído por blocos de 30 s intervalados por 30 s de repouso. Ao término de cada bloco a percepção de esforço foi reportada. As análises comparativas das imagens foram todas geradas no Matlab através dos softwares SPM e NCA. Foi considerado para análise das imagens o período de 4 s imediatamente ao final de cada bloco de exercício com o objetivo de verificar as áreas relacionadas com o processamento da PSE. As seguintes áreas relacionadas à percepção de esforço foram ativadas: giro cingulado, giro pré-central, giro pós-central, giro frontal superior, giro frontal superior, lóbulo superior parietal, giro lingual, giro temporal médio, giro frontal médio, precuneus, cuneus e cerebelo. De forma complementar, as áreas inibidas foram: giro angular, giro temporal superior, giro temporal médio, giro pré-central, giro temporal superior, giro frontal médio, giro occipital médio, giro lingual, lóbulo paracentral, precuneus e tálamo. Essas áreas ativadas e inibidas estão associadas a uma resposta cognitiva, ou seja, o momento que o indivíduo reportava a percepção de esforço diante de um protocolo de exercício incremental, considerando todas as intensidades. Em intensidades baixas houve ativação do cerebelo e giro pós-central, e inibição do giro frontal médio e giro temporal superior. Em intensidades altas, houve uma ativação do giro cingulado e inibição do giro angular e precuneus. Na comparação entre as intensidades podemos destacar que em intensidades baixas houve maior ativação do lóbulo parietal superior. Por outro lado, em intensidades altas houve maior inibição do giro angular, cingulado posterior, lóbulo parietal inferior e precuneus. Quando comparados indivíduos ciclistas e saudáveis houve uma maior ativação do giro pré-central e maior inibição do giro pré-central, giro temporal inferior e cerebelo nos ciclistas considerando todas as intensidades. Por fim, na comparação entre ciclistas e treinados, nas intensidades altas houve maior inibição do giro temporal médio (giro fusiforme) nos ciclistas. As áreas cerebrais, ativadas e inibidas, associadas à percepção de esforço estão relacionadas à área motora, pré-motora, motor suplementar somatossensoriais, controle emocional, processamento de atenção, linguagem, auditivas, integração de informação, gerenciamento de memória, planejamento e resolução de problemas e cognitiva. Em intensidades baixas, áreas motoras e somatossensorias foram ativadas e houve inibição de área pré-frontal e auditiva. Por outro lado, em intensidades altas, foram ativadas áreas relacionadas com o controle de emoções e foram inibidas áreas relacionadas ao processamento de linguagem e memória episódica. Entre ciclistas e não ciclistas, houve maior ativação de área motora e maior inibição de área somatossensorial, processamento de atenção e motora / Perception of effort and fatigue are widely represented in the brain during exercise, however, the information is not clear about the areas associated with these responses. Thus, this study aimed to identify and compare the brain areas associated with perception of effort during cycling exercise at different intensities and levels of training. This study included 24 adult subjects; 12 cyclists (75.6 ± 8.4 kg, height 175 cm ± 5.3, 24.4 ± 7.1 years; physical activity 5.4 ± 1.5 times per week) and 12 non-cyclists (trained) (79.7 ± 10.5 kg; 177 cm ± 9.1, 27.4 ± 4.8 years; physical activity 2.3 ± 1.3 times per week). Subjects were positioned to cycling ergometer coupled to magnetic resonance equipment and performed an incremental load interval test comprising blocks 30 s intervals for 30 s rest. At the end of each block, the perception of effort was reported. Comparative analysis of the images was all generated in Matlab using the SPM and NCA software. The following areas related to perceived exertion were activated: cingulate gyrus, precentral gyrus, post-central gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, parietal upper lobe, gyrus lingual, middle temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, precuneus, cuneus and cerebellum. Complementarily, these were inhibited areas: angular gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, precentral gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, gyrus lingual, paracentral lobule, precuneus and thalamus. These activated and inhibited areas are related to cognitive response, when the individual reported the perceived exertion on an incremental exercise protocol, considering all intensities. At low intensities, there was activation of the cerebellum and post-central gyrus, and inhibition of the middle frontal gyrus and superior temporal gyrus. At high intensities, there was an activation of the cingulate gyrus and inhibition of angular and precuneus spin. Comparing the intensities, there was greater activation in the superior parietal lobe at low intensities. On the other hand, high intensity demonstrated greater inhibition of the angular gyrus, posterior cingulate, inferior parietal lobule and precuneus. Compared trained and healthy individuals there was a greater activation of the precentral gyrus and greater inhibition of pre-central gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus and cerebellum in trained subjects considering all intensities. Finally, comparing trained healthy subjects at high intensities there was greater inhibition of medial temporal gyrus (fusiform gyrus) in trained individuals. The brain areas, activated and inhibited, associated with the perception of effort are related to motor, pre-motor, somatosensory supplemental motor, emotional control, attention processing, language, auditory, information integration, memory management, planning and resolution problems and cognitive. At low intensities, motor and somatosensory areas were activated and there was inhibition of the prefrontal and auditory area. On the other hand, at high intensities, areas related to the control of emotions were activated and areas related to language processing and episodic memory were inhibited. Between cyclists and non-cyclists, there was greater activation of motor area and greater inhibition of somatosensory area, attention and motor processing

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o efeito da disponibilidade de carboidratos (CHO) sobre a taxa de incremento da percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE), respostas cardio-respiratórias, metabólicas e hormonais em exercícios de domínio muito pesado (MP) e severo (SE). Doze sujeitos foram designados aleatoriamente para um de dois grupos (MP ou SE). Os indivíduos realizaram: 1) um teste progressivo máximo; 2) um teste de carga constante até a exaustão (controle); 3) um protocolo de depleção de CHO com exercício, seguido por 48 horas de dieta com baixo (10%) ou alto (80%) CHO; 4) um teste experimental, igual ao controle, até a exaustão. Após sete dias, os procedimentos 3 e 4 foram realizados novamente, mas invertendo a dieta (ordem contrabalanceada). Para MP, o tempo de exaustão não foi diferente entre as situações, mas a taxa de incremento da PSE geral foi maior para a situação de baixo CHO do que para controle ou alto CHO. O VO2, FC, ventilação (VE), frequência respiratória (FR) e lactato foram menores na situação de baixo CHO. A insulina foi maior para baixo e alto CHO do que para controle. A taxa de aumento da PSE geral foi associada a amplitude de incremento do VO2. Para SE, o tempo de exaustão foi menor com baixo CHO. A taxa de incremento da PSE geral não foi diferente entre as situações, mas a da PSE local (específica do músculo ativo) foi maior para baixo CHO. A FR e a VE foram maiores para baixo CHO, enquanto o volume corrente, a FC e o lactato foram menores. A PSE geral foi associada a PSE local. Esses resultados sugerem que a disponibilidade de CHO afeta diversas variáveis fisiológicas de maneira dependente da intensidade. Por conseqüência, afetam a PSE também de modo dependente da intensidade / The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of carbohydrate (CHO) availability on the rate of increase in rating perceived exertion (RPE), cardio-respiratory, metabolic and hormonal responses during exercise at very heavy (VH) or severe (SE) domains. Twelve subjects were randomly allocated at VH or SE groups. The subjects performed: 1) a maximal incremental test; 2) a constant workload test until exhaustion (control); 3) an exercise protocol to depletion of CHO stores, followed for 48 hours of low (10%) or high (80%) CHO diet; 4) an experimental test, mirrored the control, until the exhaustion. Seven days apart, the procedures 3 and 4 were performed again, but using opposite diet (counterbalanced order). In the VH group, the time to exhaustion was not significantly different among the conditions, but the rate of increase in global RPE was higher to low CHO diet than control or high CHO diet. The VO2, heart rate (HR), ventilation (VE), breathing rate (BR) and lactate were lower in low CHO diet. The insulin was higher in low and high CHO diet than in control. The rate of increase in global RPE was associated with the VO2 amplitude. For SE, the time to exhaustion was lower in low CHO diet. The rate of increase in global RPE was not different among conditions, but the local RPE (pain in the active muscle) was greater in low CHO diet. The BR and VE were greater in low CHO diet, while tidal volume, HR and lactate were lesser. The global RPE was associated with local RPE. These results could suggest that CHO availability can affect several physiological variables for a way what has to be dependent of the exercise intensity. For consequence, its affect RPE also for a way that is dependent of the intensity

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito de duas sessões de exercício de força executadas em diferentes intensidades (35% do valor de 1 RM contra 70% do valor de 1 RM) e volumes (10 repetições e cinco repetições) sobre a magnitude da carga interna de treinamento, e a resposta de parâmetros fisiológicos (lactato e cortisol) associados ao nível de estresse imposto ao organismo, nos diferentes gêneros. Trinta participantes (15 homens e 15 mulheres) foram submetidos a duas sessões de treinamento: uma sessão foi composta por quatro séries de cinco repetições submáximas a 70% do valor de 1 RM e a outra sessão foi constituída por quatro séries de 10 repetições submáximas a 35% do valor de 1 RM. Ambas sessões foram realizadas com os mesmos exercícios (supino e agachamento) e os mesmos intervalos entre séries (dois minutos) e entre os exercícios (três minutos). A carga total levantada na sessão (expressa pela tonelagem [TON] = séries x repetições x carga [kg]) foi equalizada para ambas as sessões. A carga interna de treinamento foi calculada pelo método da percepção subjetiva do esforço (PSE) da sessão. A análise do lactato sanguíneo foi realizada pelo método eletroquímico e a concentração de cortisol salivar foi determinada pelo método ELISA. Não foi observada diferença significante na magnitude da carga interna de treinamento entre as sessões (p>0,05). Também não foi verificada diferença no padrão de resposta do lactato sanguíneo e do cortisol salivar entre as sessões (p > 0,05). Além disso, não foi observada diferença no padrão de resposta das variáveis avaliadas (carga interna de treinamento, lactato e cortisol) entre participantes do gênero masculino e feminino, quando submetidos à mesma sessão. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que a equalização da carga levantada na sessão, indicador do trabalho externo realizado, é um fator importante para modular as respostas internas. Mesmo quando diferentes delineamentos são implementados pela manipulação das variáveis do treinamento de força, a equalização da carga levantada torna o estímulo externo semelhante, determinando o padrão de resposta similar dos parâmetros investigados. Os resultados do presente estudo também indicam que o gênero não influencia a magnitude da carga interna de treinamento e a respostas dos parâmetros associados ao nível de estresse (lactato e cortisol) / The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of two sessions of resistance exercise performed at different intensities (35% of 1RM versus 70% of 1 RM) and volumes (10 repetitions and five repetitions) on the magnitude of internal training load and the response of physiological parameters (lactate and cortisol) associated with the level of stress imposed on the organism, in different genders. Thirty participants (15 men and 15 women) were submitted to two training sessions: one session consisted of four sets of five submaximal repetitions at 70% of 1 RM and the other session consisted of four sets of 10 submaximal repetitions at 35% of 1 RM. Both sessions were conducted using the same exercises (bench press and squat) and the same intervals between sets (two minutes) and between exercises (three minutes). The total load lifted in the session (express by Ton [TON] = sets x repetitions x load [kg]) was equated for both sessions. The internal training load was calculated using the session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) method. The blood lactate analysis was performed by electrochemical method and the cortisol concentration was determined by ELISA method. There was no significant difference in the magnitude of internal training load between sessions (p > 0.05). There was no difference in blood lactate and salivary cortisol responses between sessions (p > 0.05). In addition, no difference was observed in all variables (internal training load, lactate and cortisol) between males and females for the same session. The results of this study suggest that the equalization of total load lifted in the session, indicator of external work performed, is an important factor to modulate the internal responses. Even when different designs are implemented by manipulating the resistance training variables, the equalization of total load lifted induce similar external stimulus, determining similar pattern of responses for the parameters investigated. The results of this study also indicated that gender does not influence the magnitude of the internal training load and the response of parameters associated with the level of stress (lactate and cortisol)

O presente estudo teve por objetivo obter evidências da validade de identificação dos limiares de lactato e de percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE) em teste de campo, comparando com o desempenho, em ciclistas de estrada. Esta é uma modalidade em que a aptidão aeróbia é uma importante determinante de desempenho; porém, haja vista que o VO2máx parece sofrer poucas alterações com o treinamento, são interessantes outras variáveis que permitam um efetivo e acessível planejamento e controle do treinamento. Testes de campo respeitam a especificidade do treinamento, avaliando atletas em situações próximas da realidade do esporte. Neste sentido, as concentrações de lactato sangüíneo ([La]) e a PSE parecem ferramentas eficazes através de seus limiares e correspondentes valores de FC e velocidade. Foram realizados dois testes: avaliação do desempenho (Teste de 40 km) e um teste de campo com intensidades crescentes controladas por valores fixos de FC (135±5, 145±5, 155±5, 165±5 bpm e esforço máximo), em circuito de 5 km, com registro das velocidades, [La], FC e PSE e posterior identificação dos limiares através do método Dmáx. Os LL também foram identificados a partir de concentrações fixas de 2, 3 e 4 mmol.L-1. A normalidade da amostra foi determinada por Kolmogorov-Smirnov; a comparação entre os métodos de identificação dos limiares em campo através de ANOVA de Um Fator e a comparação das relações entre os limiares obtidos nos testes CR-40 km e 5x5 km pela Correlação de Pearson, além do Teste de Friedman para comparação entre as médias dos limiares. Os resultados demonstraram a possibilidade de utilização do LL4 como preditor de desempenho, além de indicarem associações significativas entre a FC e a PSE e entre La e FC / The present study had the objective to obtain validity evidences of identificating lactate and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) metabolic thresholds in field tests, comparing them to performance, in road cyclists. Road cycling is a sport in which aerobic condition is an important performance determinant; however, considering that VO2max seems not to change with the training season, it is necessary that other condition markers can be used, leading, this way, to an effective and acessible training plan and control. Field tests respect the training principle of specificity, evaluating athletes in situations as closest as possible from the sports reality. Concerning to this, blood lactate concentrations ([La]) and RPE have shown to be efficient tools for that, throughout the identification of their thresholds and corresponding heart rate and velocity values. Cyclists developed a performance test (40 km TT) and a field test in which intensity was controled by HR fixed values (135±5, 145±5, 155±5, 165±5 bpm and maximal effort), in a 5 km extension circuit, with velocities, [La], HR, and RPE records, and posterior thresholds identification by the Dmax method. LT were also identified from fixed [La] of 2, 3, and 4 mmol.L-1. The sample degree of normality was determined by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test; the comparision between the field thresholds identification methods were calculated by One-Factor ANOVA, and the comparision of the relationship between the thresholds obtained in the CR40 and in the field tests by Pearsons correlation, besides the use of Friedman test for comparing the thresholds mean values. Results presented the possibility of utilizing LL4 in order to predict performance in field tests, and also showed a significative association between HR and RPE and La and HR

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine if a there was a dose-response relationship across an NCAA Division I men’s soccer season. Specifically, this dissertation serves to: 1.) assess the validity of duration measurements that have previously been used to calculate session RPE during competitive matches, 2.) determine the degree and magnitude of change in intermittent endurance performance across a season and to observe how change in endurance relates with training load, 3.) determine the degree and magnitude of change in strength and explosiveness across a season, and to see how these strength changes relate to training load. 1.) Minutes played were found to be the most accurate duration for calculating session RPE during men’s NCAA Division I soccer matches. 2.) Endurance performance, measured using the Yo-Yo IR1, increased by an average of 14 percent from pre to post season. Furthermore, a large, negative relationship was observed between training load and change endurance performance. These relationships suggest that excessive accumulation of training load can impair endurance performance. The congested NCAA DI match schedule may make it difficult to prevent excessive training loads. 3.) When players were grouped by amount of college soccer experience (upper and underclassmen), upperclassmen jumped significantly higher than underclassmen during the preseason. Moreover, the upperclassmen maintained or increased jump height from pre to post season, while underclassmen experienced a general decrease in jump height from pre to post season. Moderate relationships indicate a positive relationship between training load from resistance training and changes in strength. Likewise, these same relationships strengthened in the players who received more playing time during matches. Taken together, the high numbers of moderate relationships indicate a high level of individual variability. Dose-response relationships with strength variables were not sufficiently established. The overall findings of this dissertation provide evidence that subjectively and objectively monitoring training load and soccer-related performance variables can assist coaches in making decisions that will promote the welfare of their team.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the best predictor of training and/or match load using session RPE. Design and Methods: 20 NCAA DI male soccer players participated in the study during the 2014 and 2015 competitive seasons. Players completed 15.20 ± 1.05 matches for a total of 304 individual data points and 29.90 ± 1.89. training sessions for a total of 598 individual data points. GPS variables (total distance, High-intensity running distance, and Player load) were analyzed with session RPE using Pearson product-moment correlations. To evaluate various methods of session RPE, “match duration” was recorded using eight different definitions: total match duration including warm-up and half-time, total match duration and warm-up, total match duration and half-time, total match duration only, minutes played including warm-up and half-time, minutes played and warm-up, minutes played and half-time, and minutes played only. A one-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to determine if differences existed between the eight session RPE calculations. Results: Results from the ANOVA showed that all session RPE measures were significantly different from one another (P < 0.05). Very large correlations were reported between session RPE calculated using minutes played and total distance (0.81), while session RPE calculated using match duration showed less magnitude (0.57). Conclusions: Minutes played should be used to calculate session RPE as it was found to most closely reflect the actual workloads incurred during competitive matches.

The Borg Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale has proven to be a highly popular instrument in measuring the subjective responses of individuals to a given work or exercise task. Historically, the instrument was designed to correlate highly with the heart rates in young-to-middle-aged men performing various tasks. The body of literature, however, has revealed inconsistencies in the extent of just how strong the relationship is between ratings of perceived exertion and various physiological criterion variables, most notably, heart rate. In addition, most studies have invoked the question of whether the criterion-related validity coefficients derived from the relationship between ratings of perceived exertion and a specified physiological criterion variable are just as valid as those for which the Borg RPE Scale was originally performed. A meta-analysis, therefore, was undertaken to determine the magnitude of the relationship between ratings of perceived exertion scores and each of three commonly used physiological measures or criterion variables: heart rate, blood lactate, and oxygen uptake. Results show that by using Tests of Homogeneity for each physiological criterion variable, the observed sample size-weighted validity coefficients are heterogeneous. The median of the mean sample size-weighted validity coefficients is .574 for heart rate, .561 for blood lactate, and .480 for oxygen uptake. Each study in the meta-analysis was grouped by the study characteristics of subject gender, fitness level, RPE Scale, exercise type, exercise protocol, and study quality. For heart rate, the highest validity coefficients are those in which the subjects are highly fit, the exercise type is fairly unusual, such as swimming, and the subjects are required to maximally exert themselves. For blood lactate, the highest validity coefficients are for females, healthy-inactive subjects, the 15-point RPE Scale, treadmill use, and swimming. For oxygen uptake, the highest validity coefficients between ratings of perceived exertion and oxygen uptake are for swimming. In a meta-analysis of study effects, when the validity coefficients are analyzed by study, the resultant mean validity coefficients are only somewhat higher (ratings of perceived exertion and heart rate, .657; ratings of perceived exertion and blood lactate, .642; ratings of perceived exertion and oxygen uptake, .609) than those obtained using sample size-weighted validity coefficients. Finally, corrections for bias generally resulted in increased validity coefficients and decreased variances.