The Validity of Sessionrating of Perceived Exertion Method for Quantifying Training Load in Teamgym

Minganti, C, Capranica, L, Meeusen, R, Amici, S, De Pero, R, and Piacentini, MF. The validity of session-rating of perceived exertion method for quantifying training load in teamgym. J Strength Cond Res 24(11): 3063-3068, 2010-Teamgym is a new and emerging closed-skill sport, which includes tumbling, trampette, and floor programs performed by teams ranging from 6 to 12 athletes. The purpose of this study was to verify the concurrent validity of the session-rating of perceived exertion ([RPE] session-RPE) to quantifying the internal training load (ITL) of tumbling, trampette, and floor training sessions using Edwards' summated heart rate (HR)-zone method as a criterion measure. Session-RPE was obtained with 2 different instruments (i.e., CR-10 Borg's scale and visual analog scale) multiplied by the training duration (minutes). Ten female teamgym athletes (age = 21.7 ± 1.2 years; height = 164.9 ± 6.6 cm; and body mass = 54.6 ± 5.4 kg) participated in this study. High and significant correlations (r range: 0.77-0.85; R2 range: 0.59-0.85; p < 0.01) were found between Edwards' HR and the session-RPE methods and between the 2 session-RPE instruments (r range: 0.92-0.97; R2 range: 0.85-0.94; p < 0.01). The significant (p < 0.05) differences emerged between training sessions indicate that session-RPE discriminates ITL in relation to various technical skills. Hence, session-RPE can be a useful and inexpensive tool to quantify ITL in teamgym, and coaches could use this instrument to monitor their periodization plan as experienced by the athletes.