The purpose of the present study was to assess the differences in ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and oxygen uptake (VO2) behavior during water and land-based exercise, performed in the exercise intensity of the first ventilatory threshold between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Seven pregnant (gestational ages between the 27th and 30th week) and seven non-pregnant women performed two continuous cycle ergometer tests (water and land-based) at the first ventilatory threshold intensity. During all sessions, respiratory gases were collected with a portable AEROSPORT KB1-C mixing box gas analyzer. A pneumotach was used with a neoprene mask. Heart rate (HR) measurements were obtained with a POLAR F1. Data were collected every 20s. RPE on Borg scale from 6 to 20 was derived at the end of the exercise. One-way ANOVA was applied for repeated measures using the post-hoc Bonferroni test (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in VO2 or RPE when comparing water with land-based exercise. In the same way, no significant difference was found between pregnant and non-pregnant subjects. We suggest that RPE can be used for water and land-based exercise prescription on cycle ergometer at the intensity of first ventilatory threshold, for both pregnant and non-pregnant women.
RPE on Borg scale; pregnancy; cycle ergometer
