Peak oxygen uptake measured during a perceptually-regulated exercise test is reliable in community-based manual wheelchair users

This study compares test-retest reliability and peak exercise responses from ramp-incremented (RAMP) and maximal perceptually-regulated (PRET_max) exercise tests during arm crank exercise in individuals reliant on manual wheelchair propulsion (MWP). Ten untrained participants completed four trials over 2-weeks (two RAMP (0-40 W + 5-10 W · min^-1) trials and two PRET_max. PRET_max consisted of five, 2-min stages performed at Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) 11, 13, 15, 17 and 20). Participants freely changed the power output to match the required RPE. Gas exchange variables, heart rate, power output, RPE and affect were determined throughout trials. The V̇O_2peak from RAMP (14.8 ± 5.5 ml · kg^-1 · min^-1) and PRET_max (13.9 ± 5.2 ml · kg^-1 · min^-1) trials were not different (P = 0.08). Measurement error was 1.7 and 2.2 ml · kg^-1 · min^-1 and coefficient of variation 5.9% and 8.1% for measuring V̇O_2peak from RAMP and PRET_max, respectively. Affect was more positive at RPE 13 (P = 0.02), 15 (P = 0.01) and 17 (P = 0.01) during PRET_max. Findings suggest that PRET_max can be used to measure V̇O_2peak in participants reliant on MWP and leads to a more positive affective response compared to RAMP.