Physiological, perceptual and attitudinal responses to identically matched workloads in field and laboratory testing conditions.

Olivier, Steve; Scott, Pat A.

Abstract

The vast majority of research investigating individual psychophysiological responses to physical work loads appears to have been conducted in the somewhat artificial ambience of a laboratory setting. The purpose of this research was to investigate what, if any, differences may be found in physiological (HR, VO2, VE), perceptual (RPE) and attitudinal (Semantic Differential Attitude Scale) responses to identically matched work loads in field and laboratory testing conditions. The VO2 max was measured on 11 well-conditioned marathon runners, who then participated in two 20 minute running conditions, one out in the field and one on a treadmill in the laboratory. Subjects ran at 70% of their VO2 max, with the gradient of the run, as well as the speed of running matched. Data were collected every 5 minutes. There was no difference in heart rate or oxygen consumption, but minute ventilation was significantly higher during the laboratory work task. Local and overall RPE scores were significantly elevated in the laboratory condition, and the evaluation, activity and overall Semantic Differential Attitude scores were significantly more favourable for the field condition. Despite the very close approximation of the physical work load, it was evident that the subjects perceived the laboratory situation to be more demanding, suggesting that cognizance must be taken of the total environment when testing, and perhaps attitudinal and perceptual difference may, in part, be responsible for the elusive 30% of unexplained variance in RPE scores.

Citation

OLIVIER, S. and SCOTT, P.A. 1993. Physiological, perceptual and attitudinal responses to identically matched workloads in field and laboratory testing conditions. South African journal for research in sport, physical education and recreation, 16(1), pages 63-72.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 31, 1993
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 1993
• Deposit Date: Oct 14, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 14, 2022
• Journal: South African journal for research in sport, physical education and recreation
• Print ISSN: 0379-9069
• Publisher: North-West University (NWU)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 63-72
• Keywords: Sport science; Physical exercise; Experiment environments; Research methodologies
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1579567