| In the past, external distractions have caused a decrease in rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for volunteers as they were performing submaximal cardiovascular exercise. There is currently a study on external distraction during exercise at a submaximal cardiovascular level, but little research has been conducted on distraction at a local muscular endurance level. The present study sought to determine the effects of facial distraction on RPE during consecutive bouts of local muscular endurance exercise. Healthy recreationally trained college age males (N = 12, mean ± SD: age = 22 ± 2.1 years, height = 176.7 ± 8.3 cm, weight = 84.9 ± 12.5 kg, 1 repetition max (1RM) = 68.6 ± 15 kg) completed two consecutive trials of local muscular endurance exercise. Trials consisted of 1 min of local endurance exercise (65% of 1RM until failure) without a mask (CON) and one with a mask (FM) while looking in a mirror. The researcher measured RPE as well as total concentric work (TCW) and surface electromyography (sEMG) of the quadriceps during each trial. When subjects wore FM during exercise the researcher observed no significant difference (p > 0.05) on mean RPE, sEMG, or TCW when compared to the CON. |
