Relationship between training volume, mood states and perceived effort in adults

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes and relationships between mood states, training volume and perception of effort in adults during an eight-week strength-training programme. Twenty-one male adults (age 30.19 ± 8.65 years; height 173.56 ± 7 cm; weight 78.07 ± 10.82 kg) took part in the study. Quantitative monitoring of the training volume, the profile of mood states (POMS) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were self-evaluated weekly, i.e. eight times in total. Analysis showed that a well-planned training volume resulted in positive changes of POMS over the eight weeks (p < .05); there was a decrease in the rate of depression and fatigue (p < .05). Positive correlations between evolution of POMS and evolution of volume training were observed (p < .05). In summary, changes in RPE were correlated with changes in POMS over the training programme. Thus, the use of psychological indicators can contribute to a better planning of training volume in adults. These findings may be helpful to coaches in prescribing an optimal training volume for adults.