Outdoor Resistance Training Decreases Rate Of Perceived Exertion During Light- Intensity Resistance Training

There exists a synergy between the environmental setting in which exercise occurs and the effect on perceived exertion. The environmental setting of exercise has already been proven to influence Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) in self-paced aerobic exercise. However, to our knowledge no study has been done examining the effects of the exercise environment on the perceived exertion during a resistance training routine. The Purpose of this investigation is to examine the effect of indoor resistance training and outdoor resistance training on RPE. METHODS: Nineteen participants (n = 9 female, n = 10 male; age: 23.2 ± 7.7 years) participated in this investigation, using a repeated measures design. The exercise protocol included 4 circuits of 4 dumbbell exercises (front squat, reverse lunge, push-ups, and shoulder press) at a light intensity. Participants completed 1 set of 10 repetitions per exercise with 30 seconds rest between exercises and 1-1.5 minutes of rest between circuits. RPE was obtained following each repetition. A dependent T-test was used to determine the difference (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Mean RPE for indoor low intensity resistance training were significantly different (p < 0.0174) than outdoor low resistance training (MEAN Indoor 4.2 ± 1.5 Outdoor 3.7 ± 1.2). CONCLUSION: RPE is lower with outdoor resistance training when compared to indoor resistance training. Future research should focus on both indoor and outdoor RPE during moderate and high intensity resistance training. The training implications include a potential decrease in perceived exertion with outdoor resistance training.