Different methods for monitoring intensity during water-based aerobic exercises

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology Vol. 112; no. 1; pp. 125 - 134
• Main Authors: Raffaelli, C., Galvani, C., Lanza, M., Zamparo, Paola
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.01.2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Actigraphy - methods; Adult; Aerobics; Analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Exercise (programs); Exercise - physiology; Exercise intensity; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart rate; Human Physiology; Humans; Measurement; Measurement techniques; Monitoring systems; Monitoring, Ambulatory - methods; Motor Activity - physiology; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Physical Exertion - physiology; Physical fitness; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sports Medicine; Swimming - physiology; Swimming pools; Techniques; Training; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports; Women; Head out aquatic exercises; Water-based activities; Physical activity; Exercise intensity; Physical exercise; Human; Head; Intensity; Monitoring
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-011-1963-7

The aim of this study was to compare different measurement techniques (indirect calorimetry, IC; heart rate monitoring, HR; an activity monitoring system, AH; rates of perceived exertion, RPE) to estimate physical activity intensity (light, moderate, vigorous) during water-based aerobic exercises (WE). Twelve healthy young women performed five common WE of 10-min duration at three frequencies in an indoor swimming pool. Data recorded from the 5th to 9th minute of exercise were averaged to obtain mean (IC), HR and AH values; RPE was recorded at the end of each WE. Oxygen uptake was also estimated from HR data using three different versus HR regression equation models. Significant correlations ( p  < 0.001) were found for the indirect methods that used HR, RPE and AH data regressed as a function of (IC); the highest correlations were found between the measured values of (IC) and those estimated from the three versus HR equations ( R  > 0.7 in all cases). An ANOVA test showed no significant differences between all predicted and measured values; however, when the Bland & Altman analysis was considered, AH data showed the larger explained variances (95% CI) and the larger standard errors. These data indicate that the most accurate way to estimate physical activity intensity during WE is based on HR measurements.