The role of aerobic fitness on session rating of perceived exertion in futsal players.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to verify the influence of aerobic fitness (VO2max) on internal training loads, as measured by the session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) method. METHODS Nine male professional outfield futsal players were monitored for 4 wk of the in-season period with regards to the weekly accumulated session-RPE, while participating in the same training sessions. Single-session-RPE was obtained from the product of a 10-point RPE scale and the duration of exercise. Maximal oxygen consumption was determined during an incremental treadmill test. RESULTS The average training load throughout the 4 wk period varied between 2,876 and 5,035 arbitrary units. Technical-tactical sessions were the predominant source of loading. There was a significant correlation between VO2max (59.6 ± 2.5 mL · kg-1 · min-1) and overall training load accumulated over the total period (r = -0.75). CONCLUSIONS The VO2max plays a key role in determining the magnitude of an individual's perceived exertion during futsal training sessions.