3.2. Exercise intensity
During the first resting period, the overall group mean (SD) HR
remained at 76.9 (10.4) beats min1
, but increased to 94.5 (9.0)
beats min1 with the period of stepping exercise. Heart rate returned
to 74.5 (8.7) beats min1 during the final resting period. No
significant difference in HR area under the curve was observed by
condition (p40.05). RPE remained stable (‘very light’) during each
phase of stepping exercise across all conditions. Friedman's ANOVA
showed no difference in RPE by spray group (p40.05). Median
(range) RPE in CON, W and M/E averaged over the stepping phase
were 8 (7–13), 8 (7–12) and 8 (6–16), respectively.