Knowledge of the Endpoint: Effect on Perceptual Values

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to examine the influence of knowledge of running length (i.e., duration or distance), or the lack of it (unknown endpoint) on the ratings of perceived exertion and estimated time to exhaustion. Fourteen men were recruited for this study. Participants performed 3 tests of a similar intensity (90 % maximal aerobic velocity) and length (100 % Tlim/Dlim). However, the exercise length was differently expressed. This was either unknown or defined in terms of duration or distance. The tests with a known length were performed in a counterbalanced order. During the tests, ratings of perceived exertion, estimated time to exhaustion, and heart rate were measured then compared by using 2-way analysis of variance for repeated measures. The results show that the ratings of perceived exertion, estimated time to exhaustion, and heart rate increased significantly with exercise duration (p < .001). Moreover, the ratings of perceived exertion were significantly different between the test with an unknown running endpoint and that with a known running distance at 40, 60 and 80 % Tlim (p < .05). Therefore, athletes perceived the run as being easier during the test with an unknown running endpoint compared to the test with a known running distance. Consequently, knowledge of running length influenced the ratings of perceived exertion probably due to teleoanticipation.

Deception Studies Manipulating Centrally Acting Performance Modifiers

“…Additionally influences upon RPE were found to correspond in line with the suggestion that perceived exertion is related to the proportion of time or distance remaining (3,4,16,18,19,21,41,49).…”

“…Paragraph Number 6 When an athlete is unaware of the absolute distance or duration of a task, they reduce their work rate and perform more economically in their use of physiological resources, to maintain a reserve in anticipation of the endpoint (4,13,16,34). Once the endpoint is known and approaching, and the task is no longer an open-loop activity, caution subsides and work rate increases (61).…”

“…Paragraph Number 16 Another approach in deception studies has been to misinform participants about the intensity at which they are performing. Similar to pre-task deceptions of duration, physiological (HR) variables, psychological (RPE) variables and performance times were not affected by manipulations of pre-task performance intensity (24,48).…”

Manipulation effects of prior exercise intensity feedback by the Borg scale during open-loop cycling

“…These studies have used deception of the subjects before or during closed or open-loop exercise bouts (ie, known/unknown exercise endpoint). Several studies have deceived subjects by manipulating external feedback, such as: exercise duration;7–11 exercise distance;12 13 exercise intensity;14 15 elapsed distance;16 17 and clock calibration 18. Overall results showed that RPE significantly changed during closed-loop exercises only when the expectation of exercise duration was manipulated 7 9 10.…”

Activity Recognition Using a Single Accelerometer Placed at Wrist or Ankle: Corrigendum

“…When an athlete is unaware of the absolute distance or duration of a task, they reduce their work rate and perform more economically in their use of physiological resources, to maintain a reserve in anticipation of the endpoint (4,13,16,34). Once the endpoint is known and approaching, and the task is no longer an open-loop activity, caution subsides and work rate increases (61).…”