Perceptual andlZlotor Skills, 2008, 106, 893-903. a Perceptual and Motor Skills 2008 WE AT RELATIVE INTENSITIES AFTER 12 WEEKS OF RESISTANCE-EXERCISE TRAINING BY OLDER ADULTS ' RANDALL F. GEARHART. JK. KRISTEN hl. LAGALLY Department of Sport Sciences Schuol of Kzne~iology and Recreatzon Ashland Llnittersit? 11linoi.r State Unioer.sit?l STEVEN E. RIECHMAN RYAN D ANDRELY'S Depart?neizt o f Health and Kiilcsiology The ]ohn~ Hopkin.? ITiziversity Texas A&-Vf Utzioerszty \Veizht ,VLanagemenl Ceizter ROBERT J. ROBERTSON Center for Ererczse alzd Health-Fztness R'zsearch The Uizicersit?;o f Pittshzirgh Sz~riznzary)?.-The constant-RPE tracking model n~onitors progress over the course of exercise training. During aerobic exercise, prior lvork using this model has demon- stratcil similar relative intensities pre- and posrtraining. while the absolute xvorkload increases posttraining. However, the prediction equation associated with these changes has not been examined during resistance training. 22 men and 27 women (,2;1 age 64 yr.) participated in a 12-n.k, resistance training. Orientation determined resis- tances associated with FU ' Es of 4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9 on the OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale for each of seven exercises for each participant. Individuals trained 3 days a ~veek for 12 wk. Linear regression was used to calculate percent of I -repetition maxi- mum (u)~l-R\,Z) at W E 4; 6, and 8 for the exercises. Paired sample i tests, comparing pre- and posttraining % 1-RVs at each RPE, indicated chat posttraining %l-Rbfs were higher tor W E 4 and 6 for each exercise, xvhile at RPT, 8, results were significant for onlv 3 exercises. Thus for at least the W E 4 and 6, the constant WE tracking model u is appropriatc for resistance exercise: however, the equation of prediction appears to ciiffer f r o n ~ that for aerobic exercise. Development of a new prediction equation may be tleccssary to track relative strength in older adults. Ratings of perceived exertion (WE) have been applied in various clini- cal, sport. and wellness settings to evaluate exercise tolerance and prescribe exercise intensity. Perceptual regulation of absolute or relative exercise inten- sities has been examined previously in a wide variety of aerobic activities (Robertson, 1982: Noble & Robertson, 1996; Duncan & Howley, 1998; Glass & Chvala, 2001; Grego, Colladreau, Vallier, Delignieres, & Brisswater, 2004; Robertson, 2004). With respect to resistance exercise, most research on eser- tional perception has used WE to regulate intensity during a single bout of 'Address corresponde~lce to Randall F. Gearhart, Jt.., Ph.D., C.S.C.S., Department o i Sport Sciences, rlshlat-td Unil-ersity, 246 KSSC, Ashland, OH 44805 or e-mail (rgearhar@ashland.edu). DO1 10.2366iPMS.106.1.893-903