USING HEART RATE MONITOR TO IMPROVE THE PERCEIVED EXERTION

In order to develop the effort capacity, the relationship between the effort rate and the physiological response of the body is a defining aspect of the physical training process. To achieve this objective it is necessary to obtain a constant feedback from the subject. The perception of physical exertion is generated by a subjective assessment of physiological answers. The integration of this information provides fine-tuning of the exertional responses. One method to build the individual capacity of self-assessment and self-regulating involvement in the effort is the rate of perceived exertion (RPE). The RPE scale measure feelings of effort and fatigue experienced during the training process. This method is based on the interaction between physiological and perceptual manifestations of the subject, and proved to be effective in guiding different types of activities (physical education, sports and leisure activities). This paper aims to present the role of modern technology in the development of the capacity to perceive the effort intensity, when it is used as a supporting tool for the above mentioned method. The research was conducted on a group of three athletes aged 12-14 years, practicing tennis at the Steaua Bucharest School Sport Club, who participated for 2 months in 16 training lessons. In 5 (expert, medium level)/3 (beginner level) of such activities it has been used also the heart rate monitor watches in order to compare the RPE scale results with the body's physiological responses expressed in terms of the heart rate. The research results highlight the application of technologies in improving the perception of effort, but also the accuracy of this perception in relation to the objective data.