Impact of aerobic exercise trials with varied intensity patterns on perceptions of effort: an evaluation of predicted, in-task, and session exertion.

Perceptions of effort provide a sense of momentary exertion during exercise, but may have value when considered prior to and after exercise. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between perceived exertion assessed before, during, and after trials of aerobic exercise fixed for total work but varied on intensity patterns. Twenty participants completed five trials of treadmill exercise that included planned intensity variations every 10 minutes to result in the same total work.