Does endurance or sprint training influence the perception of the optimal pedalling rate during submaximal cycling exercise?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of endurance and sprint training on the perception of the optimal pedalling rate during a submaximal cycling exercise. Six subjects specialized in endurance activities and 6 subjects trained in sprinting activities used the model of bicycling at various pedalling rates with the same power output (150W) on a cycle ergometer. Individual 2nd order polynomial relationships were determined between oxygen consumption (VO2) and velocity and between rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and velocity. Optimal velocity, with respect to minimum of VO2 (OVVO2) and to minimum of RPE (OVRPE), were calculated for all subjects, respectively. The close similarity found between the VO2-velocity and the RPE-velocity curves confirmed that the overall RPE was mainly influenced by the central factor. As OVRPE and OVVO2 were not significantly correlated and as OVRPE was significantly higher than OVVO2, other factors than central may also have influenced the RPE. The significant higher OVRPE values (p < 0.05) observed in the sprint vs. endurance groups suggested that different training background may have influenced the RPE. These differences could also be explained by a significantly higher OVVO2 in sprint than in endurance groups, the subjects being sensitive to the pedalling rate for which the energy expenditure is minimal.