Peripheral and central inputs to the effort sense during cycling exercise

The relationships between some physical and physiological events, and perceived effort were studied at several equivalent work outputs (W) at two pedalling rates (30 and 60 rev-min-1). Subjects judged effort throughout a 4 min exercise bout. After 4 min at any W it was always more effortful to pedal at 30 rev-min-1 even though there were no differences in VE, VO2, or integrated electromyography per minute (IEMG-min-1) between pedalling rates. Effort was related to VO2 and IEMG-min-1 but it was more effortful to pedal at 30 rev-min-1. Effort was also related to pedal resistance and IEMG of single contractions but was influenced by pedalling rate after 4 min of exercise. At any resistance it was more effortful to pedal at 60 rev-min-1, however, when effort was plotted as a function of resistance after 15 s, there was virtually no effect of pedalling rate. The rate effect grows with time from the onset of exercise and appears to be related to the central signal to the effort sense. The interaction of peripheral and central signals suggests a model of the effort sense during exercise.