Assessing Perceptual Responses To Exercise In The Heat In Unacclimatized, Endurance (aerobic) And Resistance Trained Females

PURPOSE: Perception during exercise is shaped by internal and external factors, especially under thermal stress. While the impact of heat on physiological and perceptual responses is well-documented, limited research has explored differences between endurance-trained (ET) and resistance-trained (RT) women. The objective of this study was to compare perceptual responses, including exertion and thermal discomfort, between ET and RT women during exercise in hot (33 °C, 50% RH) versus neutral (21 °C, 50% RH) environments. METHODS: Seventeen healthy, unacclimatized women (ET: n = 8, RT: n = 9) performed a 75-minute walking exercise at 60% VO2 peak in both hot (H) and neutral (N) conditions. Differentiated ratings of perceived exertion (Overall [O-RPE], Central [C-RPE], Local [L-RPE]) and thermal perceptions (thermal sensation, comfort, and thirst) were measured pre-, during, and post-exercise. The Environmental Symptom Questionnaire (ESQ) was administered pre- and post-exercise. RESULTS: O-, C-, and L-RPE were comparable between ET and RT groups in both conditions, except at 60 minutes in the N condition where RT women reported significantly higher O-RPE (p = .028). No significant differences were observed in thermal perceptions (p > .05), except for thirst at baseline and 15 minutes in the N condition (p < .05). ESQ scores did not significantly differ between groups in either condition (p > .05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that training background minimally influences perceptual responses during moderate-intensity exercise under thermal stress. Despite minor differences, both ET and RT women experience similar exertion and discomfort, indicating that physiological adaptations from endurance or resistance training may have limited impact on perception in these environments.