Evaluation of the subjective sensation of effort and cardiac frequency in adult women during aquatic exercises

Abstract

Aquatic exercises is one of many physical activity options, where the objective is to improve or maintain levels of health, especially in adults. However, one of aspect that merits attention is the intensity of exercise and the means by which it is controlled. The objective of this study was to compare the subjective sensation of effort (PSE) with heart rate (HR; bpm), in 49 to 53-year-old women, during aquatic exercises. Twelve women participated of this study (51,1 years + 1,6), all of whom had been participating in this modality for at least 3 months. The HR was measured by Polar and the PSE was arrived at using the Borg Scale. Data were collected at three distinct points (10, 20 and 30 minutes), during three aquatic exercise workouts. Statistical analysis employed Student’s t test and ANOVA to a level of signifi cance of 0,05. Significant differences were detected in HR between the fi rst and third workouts at 10 minutes and the fi rst and second workouts at 20 minutes. There were no signifi cant differences between mean PSE values. There was a correlation between HR and PSE at 30 minutes of the fi rst and second workouts. We therefore conclude that the Borg scale is not a good method for intensity control during aquatic exercises for this group.