Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1995, 80, 259-266. O Perceptual and Motor Skills 1995 CHANGES IN RATINGS OF PERCEIVED EXERTION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL AFFECT IN THE EARLY STAGES OF EXERCISE ' GAYNOR PARFITT AND ROGER ESTON Division of Healfh and Human Perforrnarzre University of Wales Sz~mmary.-The purpose of this study was to examine ddferences in the rating of perceived exertion (WE) and affect, as assessed by a bipolar feeling scale (FS) during cycle ergometry in a steady-state and a nonsteady-state condition in active and inac- tive individuals. 71 subjects completed a self-report questionnaire on physical activity and were assigned to nvo groups, a low-active group of 16 men and 18 women and a high-active group of 18 men and 19 women. On Day 1 all subiects completed a sub- maximal exercise test to predict maximum oxygen uptake (VOpax) from which work rates corresponding to 60% and 90% VOzmax were calculated. On Day 2 half of the subjects completed a work rate equivalent to 60% VOzmax whilst the other half completed a 90% VOzmax work rate. On Day 3 alternative work rates were completed. RPE and FS were recorded after 2 and 4 min. at each work rate on both days. Mixed-model, 4-factor (gender x group x work rate x time) analyses of variance with repeated measures on work rate and rime were conducted on the FS and RPE data. W E was higher after 4 min. at both intensiues, and there was a greater increase in WE between 2 and 4 min. at the 90% than the 60% work rate. Rated feeling was more positive at the 60% work rate, high-active subjects were more positive rhan low-active subjects and rated feeling was lower in Minute 4 for both groups. The fol- lowing interactions were observed: rated feeling was more negative afcer 4 min. for the low-active group compared to the high-active group at 2 and 4 min. and the low-active group reported more negative feeling at the 90% work rate compared to the 60% work rate while the high-active group did not change significantly. Timing of the RPE is importar~r ~f used to prescribe exercise intensity. Further, low-active subjects should be encour.~gcd to exercise at moderate intensities and discouraged from focusing on how they feel ~mrnediatel~ before they finish a session. The Rating of Perceived Exertion (WE) Scale (Borg, 1970) has become a basic tool for researchers and practitioners involved in prescribing, evalu- ating, and monitoring the intensity of physical activity. However, recent research (Hardy & Rejeslu, 1989; Parfitt, H o h e s , & Markland, 1992; Parfitt, Markland, & Holmes, 1994) suggests that the RPE on its own pro- vides lunited information. Hardy and Rejeslu (1989) expound the importance of the Feehg Scale (FS), a measure of on-task, exercise-related affect. Fur- ther, Parfitt, et al. (1992, 1994) reported that active individuals and individ- uals with a lower physical activity profile differed on the rated f e e h g at 60% and 90% of maximum oxygen uptake (V02max)but did not differ on W E . The more active group had a significantly greater positive affect, par- 'Address correspondence to Dr. G. Parfitr, Division of Health and Human Performance, Uni- versity of Wales, Ffriddoedd Building. Victoria Drive, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2EN.