Rate of perceived exertion and affectivity in body weight exercises in trained elderly people with cardiometabolic risk factors

Abstract One of the strategies to mitigate the deleterious effects of the aging process is body weight exercise. However, gaps remain regarding the appropriate progression and intensity, particularly in older adults with cardiometabolic risk factors. The aim of this study was to analyze the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and affectivity associated with body weight exercise in older adults with cardiometabolic risk factors, considering different levels of complexity. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The RPE was assessed using the OMNI-Res scale, and affectivity was measured using the Hardy and Rejeski scale. Multi-joint exercises (squat, push up, pull up) were performed using only body weight and categorized into hypothetical intensities (easy, medium, and difficult) based on complexity adjustments. No significant difference in RPE was found for squat (p=0.261) and push up (p=0.063). However, a significant increase in RPE was observed for the pull up exercise (p=0.001) between the easy and difficult, as well as the medium and difficult complexities. No difference in affectivity was observed for the squat exercise (p=0.008). In the push up exercise, a significant difference in affectivity was found between the easy and difficult complexities (p=0.004), while in the pull up exercise, differences were observed between the easy and difficult, as well as the medium and difficult complexities (p=0.003). Modifying the complexity of squat and push up exercises in trained older adults with cardiometabolic risk factors did not result in differences in perceived intensity. However, performing pull up exercises using the TRX may be an interesting alternative for intensity progression.