A series of experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of the perception of stimuli external to the body on the perception of effort, and its subsequent effect on athletic pacing. An initial study investigated the pacing and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during an ultra-distance triathlon. This revealed that RPE scores follow a linear rate of increase throughout the event, but also that this increase displays a number of perturbations. Run pace followed a positive profile, suggesting a constant re-assessment of pace by the participants, by a process of comparison of the rate of increase in RPE with the perception of progress through the event. How athletes do this was investigated further. The next study examined the role of optic flow on RPE. This showed that slow optic flow reduced RPE, with there being a number of possible mechanisms. These were further explored in a study into the effect of optic flow upon distance perception, RPE, and pacing. This revealed an altered perception of distance, but, an unaltered freely-chosen work rate. It also revealed a divergence between visual perception and action. These results are discussed in the context of existing cognitive models of pacing. A final study revealed that the visual perception of gradient altered RPE, but, that this occurred without interaction with the effect of optic flow on RPE, suggesting that they act via separate mechanisms. The results are discussed in the context of theories of perceptual experience and athletic pacing.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:605561 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Parry, David A. |
| Publisher | University of Essex |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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