A Comparison of the Degree of Perceived Exertion by Participants In Nordic Walking and Level Walking at Equal Levels of Relative Exercise Intensity

Abstract

It has been reported that the perceived exertion in level walking (LW) is the same with or lower than that of nordic walking (NW), although the exercise intensity of NW is higher than LW. Based on this fact, it could be expected that absolute intensity, the speed, should differ if the relative intensity, measured using V ̇ O2 level, is the same in both types of walking. This study aimed to clarify the levels of perceived exertion between NW and LW when their V ̇ O2 levels are equivalent. The subjects were eight healthy young males who exercise regularly. They performed three tests: an incremental test to obtain their regression formula between the V ̇ O2max and the speed, the submaximal exercise test of NW (the NW condition) at 40% of each subject’s V ̇ O2max speed, and LW test (the LW condition) at the speed we substituted the value of V ̇ O2 provided in the NW condition into the regression formula. They conducted a
six-minute exercise in each condition. Measurements included percentage of V ̇ O2 , heart rate reserve (%HRR), and perceived exertion (OMNI scale) of their upper limbs, lower limbs, and whole body. Although there was no significant difference in V ̇ O2 and %HRR, there was in speed, with the subjects walking faster in the LW condition (p<0.01). No significant difference was found between the conditions on the OMNI scale of their whole body and lower limbs, but the NW condition produced significantly higher values than the LW condition for their upper limbs (p<0.01). The results suggested that the same exercise intensity can be obtained at a slower speed in NW, and higher exertion was perceived only in their arms in NW, with no difference in their lower limbs or whole body.