Expected Performance and Perceived Exertion in a Prolonged Physical Task

A prolonged bicycle ergometer task at a fixed sub-maximal intensity was carried out under three experimental conditions, varying in terms of the amount of feedback about performance provided to subjects. Using a repeated-measures methodology, subjects were asked every 3 min. to rate their perceived exertion and to estimate their expected performance level. The data indicated that these two measures were highly correlated when no feedback was given. However, when feedback about performance was given, the expected performance level was accordingly adjusted whereas the measure of perceived exertion remained unchanged. These data were interpreted as indicating that perceived exertion was based on physiological processes whereas the measure of expected performance was largely based on a cognitive-anticipatory process. The temporal course of relationships between the level of perceived exertion and heart rate indicated that, whereas the two measures were initially related, this relationship disappeared after heart rate had reached its steady state level. These data suggest that physiological processes other than heart rate have become the source of exertion perceptions.