Effects of perceived exertion and imposed-intensity learning trials on self-selected resistance training loads during circuit weight training in young healthy untrained males

The main purpose of the study was to examine the effects of learning trials on young healthy untrained males. self-selected loads and ratings of perceived exertion for eight commonly used exercises during the circuit weight training.;Twenty-one untrained healthy college-aged male subjects were recruited from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus community for this study. Prior to the experimental sessions, the subjects participated in a familiarization session to learn the operation of eight selectorized machines in a circuit fashion at a cadence of 40 beats/minute and the use of the OMNI perceived exertion scale chart. In addition, the subjects. OMNI perceived exertion scale of 6 or "Somewhat Hard" for active muscle weights and one repetition maximums for all eight exercises were determined. The subjects. OMNI perceived exertion scale of 6 or "Somewhat Hard" for active muscle weights and the subjects. 60% of their one repetition maximums for each exercise were used for their separate learning trials. To examine the effects between the two learning trials, the subjects. self-selected weights that they believed would improve their muscular fitness were obtained before and after each learning trial.;Two 2 (order) x 5 (weights selected) and 2 (order) x 6 (perceived exertion scores) multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures were performed separately. Multivariate tests revealed the factors had significant effects on the dependent variables for both weights selected and perceived exertion scores.;The following conclusion statements were made within the limitations of the study. (1) Without a learning trial, young healthy untrained males' self-selected weights that were insufficient to improve muscular strength. (2) Young healthy novice male weight trainers are better able to self select optimal exercise resistance levels after they are exposed to heavier weights (60% 1RM) as a reference during a learning trial. (3) Learning trials do not affect young healthy novice male weight trainers' ratings of perceived exertion.