Comparable Workout Output by Using Velocity Feedback or Perceived Exertion in Male and Female Recreationally Resistance Trained Individuals

Naclerio, F, Larumbe-Zabala, E, Chapman, M, Gonzalez-Frutos, P, and Triplett, NT. Comparable workout output by using velocity feedback or perceived exertion in male and female recreationally resistance trained individuals. J Strength Cond Res 40(2): 143-151, 2026-We compared an objective (velocity feedback [VEL]) vs. a subjective (rating of perceived exertion [RPE]) autoregulatory method to estimate velocity drop thresholds associated with low (10%), moderate (20%) metabolic fatigue, and muscular endurance (40%) during continuous sets in the back squat (BSQ) exercise using either 50% or 75% of the 1 repetition maximum (1RM). After five sessions of familiarization and determining the 1RM, 19 male subjects (24.5 ± 6 years) and 9 female subjects (30.4 ± 8 years) underwent two identical 6-day testing sessions over 2 weeks (12 sessions) using the VEL (first 6 sessions) or the RPE method (last 6 sessions). The assessments of velocity thresholds and relative loads were randomized for each 6-day testing period. The average velocity (AV) and the OMNI-RES (0-10) scale scores were measured for every repetition of each set. Under VEL, sets ended after completing two consecutive repetitions below the target threshold. A linear mixed-effects model setting velocity thresholds, method, and their interaction as fixed effects, and subjects as random components, was conducted. Although no significant differences between methods were identified for the percentage of velocity decrease and the total number of repetitions completed per set, compared with VEL, under the RPE method, fewer repetitions were completed below the thresholds for both 50 and 75% 1RM ( p < 0.01 and g > 1 in all cases). In conclusion, both methods, VEL and RPE, seem useful for estimating velocity changes during continuous sets of BSQ. However, the RPE method allowed for fewer unnecessary repetitions when squatting until 10, 20, and 40% of velocity decrease.