Preferred exertion across three common modes of exercise training.

The use of self-selected intensities of exercise may increase adherence to exercise programs by allowing the participant more freedom to choose activities that are enjoyable. However, self-selected intensities may vary across exercise modes, and participants may not choose an intensity that is adequate to produce health benefits. The purpose of this study was to determine influence of exercise mode on self-selected exercise intensities. Eighteen subjects (12 men and 6 women) between the ages of 18 and 25 participated in this study. Preferred intensity tests were performed for 3 modes of exercise (treadmill, cycle ergometer, and stairstepper). .V(O)(2) values were obtained continuously and 1-minute averages were recorded at minutes 5, 10, 15, and 20 for each submaximal test. Comparisons were made using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (mode, time, mode x time). Scheffe's F test was used to test simple effects. There was a significant increase in the relative .V(O)(2) for all 3 modes of exercise across the 20-minute trials (p = 0.0001). Relative .V(O)(2) (%.V(O)(2)peak) increased from 52.20 to 64.71% for cycle exercise, 43.27 to 63.25% for the treadmill, and 47.16 to 61.17% for stairstepping. The average relative .V(O)(2) for the cycle ergometer (60.40 +/- 15.55%) was significantly higher (p = 0.02) than both the treadmill (53.65 +/- 18.36%) and stairstepper (54.66 +/- 11.98%). Relative heart rate (HR) (%HRR) for the stairstepper (80.21 +/- 9.67%) and the cycle ergometer (80.03 +/- 10.59%) were significantly higher than the treadmill (74.77 +/- 13.13%) (p = 0.0003). There were no significant differences in rating of perceived exertion (RPE) among the 3 modes of exercise. Similar RPE values were reported for the stairstepper (12.79 +/- 2.97), cycle ergometer (12.57 +/- 2.90), and the treadmill (12.50 +/- 2.87). The results indicate that subjects allowed to choose exercise intensity by self-selection chose work rates that were within the moderate range of American College of Sports Medicine guidelines of 50-85% .V(O)(2)max for treadmill, cycle ergometer, and stairstepping exercise.