Concurrent and Predictive Validity of an Exercise-Specific Scale for the Perception of Velocity in the Back Squat

Abstract

Background: the aim of the study was to develop and validate a specific perception velocity scale for the Back Squat exercise to discriminate the velocity of each repetition during a set. Methods: 31 resistance trained participants completed 3 evaluation sessions, consisting of 3 blinded loads (light, medium, heavy). For each repetition, barbell mean velocity (Vr) was measured with a linear position transducer while perceived velocity (Vp) was reported using the Squat Perception of Velocity (PV) Scale. Results: Pearson correlation coefficients (r) showed very high values for each intensity in the 3 different days (range r = 0.73–0.83) and practically perfect correlation for all loads (range r = 0.97–0.98). The simple linear regression analysis between Vp and Vr revealed values ranging from R2 = 0.53 to R2 = 0.69 in the 3 intensities and values ranging from R2 = 0.95 to R2 = 0.97 considering all loads. The reliability (ICC2.1, SEM) of Vp was tested for light (0.85, 0.03), medium Please do not modify the format of the manuscript (type and size of font, margin size, paragraph spacing, etc.), only what is indicated with comments or highlighted, as it follows the standard style of MDPI. We would appreciate if you could mark all the modifications with the Track Changes tool and thoroughly address all the comments.(0.90, 0.03) and heavy loads (0.86, 0.03) and for all loads (0.99, 0.11). The delta score (ds = Vp − Vr) showed higher accuracy of the PV at heavy loads. Conclusions: these results show that the PV Squat Scale is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to accurately quantify exercise intensity.

Can mental fatigue affect perception of barbell velocity in resistance training?

“…Perception velocity accuracy was evaluated with a blinded load test in two separate days, 1 day in rest condition (REST) and 1 day in MF condition (POST‐MF). The procedures were the same as those used in a previous study (Romagnoli, Civitella, et al., 2022). The test consisted of 3 different loads, administered in random order using an online software (http://random.org), chosen according to the velocities reached during the 1RM test (light: MPV ≥1 m·s −1 , medium: 0.6 ≥ MPV ≤0.8 m·s −1 and heavy: ≤0.4 m·s −1 ).…”

“…Participants performed 2 repetitions for each load, during which the MPV of the barbell (real velocity, Vr) was recorded. At the end of the set they had to identify the fastest repetition of the two and, using the squat PV scale (Romagnoli, Civitella, et al., 2022), they had to estimate the velocity of each of the 2 repetitions (perceived velocity, Vp) and report the values of RPE using the OMNI‐RES scale (Robertson et al., 2003).…”

“…It has been demonstrated that, following a period of specific training with the combined use of LPT and PV scales, the barbell velocity perceived by the subjects (Vp) was very close to the real velocity (Vr) (Bautista et al., 2014, 2016). Although this line of research is growing and specific PV scales are being validated (Romagnoli, Civitella, et al., 2022), it is still unclear how fatigue can affect perceived velocity. From the preliminary data (Romagnoli, Lista, et al., 2022), it has been shown that muscular fatigue impacts real velocity (slower) but not the PV.…”

Does Fatigue Affect the Perception of Velocity Accuracy During Resistance Training?

“…In fact, in these sessions, the PV-squat scale was presented, explained, and used. During these sessions, the protocols were the same used in a previous study (21). The execution required involved a depth such that the crease of the hip was below the top of the knee, viewed from the lateral aspect.…”

“…Recently, we developed an exercise-specific PV scale for the back squat (21) . The exercise specificity is important to assess because of the difference in minimum velocity threshold that has been observed between different exercises (29).…”