A Comparison of the Degree of Perceived Exertion by Participants In Nordic Walking and Level Walking at Equal Levels of Relative Exercise Intensity

Abstract

It has been reported that the perceived exertion in level walking (LW) is the same with or lower than that of nordic walking (NW), although the exercise intensity of NW is higher than LW. Based on this fact, it could be expected that absolute intensity, the speed, should differ if the relative intensity, measured using VO 2 level, is the same in both types of walking. This study aimed to clarify the levels of perceived exertion between NW and LW when their VO 2 levels are equivalent. The subjects were eight healthy young males who exercise regularly. They performed three tests: an incremental test to obtain their regression formula between theVO 2max and the speed, the submaximal exercise test of NW (the NW condition) at 40% of each subject's VO 2max speed, and LW test (the LW condition) at the speed we substituted the value of VO 2 provided in the NW condition into the regression formula. They conducted a six-minute exercise in each condition. Measurements included percentage of VO 2 , heart rate reserve (%HRR), and perceived exertion (OMNI scale) of their upper limbs, lower limbs, and whole body. Although there was no significant difference in VO 2 and %HRR, there was in speed, with the subjects walking faster in the LW condition (p<0.01). No significant difference was found between the conditions on the OMNI scale of their whole body and lower limbs, but the NW condition produced significantly higher values than the LW condition for their upper limbs (p<0.01). The results suggested that the same exercise intensity can be obtained at a slower speed in NW, and higher exertion was perceived only in their arms in NW, with no difference in their lower limbs or whole body.

Physical activity on mental wellbeing in senior English Premier League soccer players during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the lockdown

“…Interestingly, during lockdown, the group average MW scores ranged between 49.76 and 52.57, which is higher than those reported by injured academy soccer players (43.60; Abbott et al, 2019). However, caution should be taken when making this assumption as academy youth players have a greater risk of poor MH (Junge & Feddermann-Demont, 2016). The exact sport-related stressors that could attenuate MW in EPL senior soccer players is unknown, and an area for future research.…”