What physiological aspect does the perceived intensity assessment (PIA) support?

The perceived intensity assessment (PIA) primarily supports exertion tolerance, which refers to an individual’s capacity to maintain effort during physical activity. PIA relies on self-reported feelings of effort during exercise, which allows runners to gauge how hard they are working based on their own perceptions. This subjective measure provides important insights into how well a person is able to sustain exercise and endure various levels of intensity.

Understanding exertion tolerance is critical for athletes because it can influence training decisions. When runners are aware of their perceived exertion levels, they can make adjustments to their training loads to improve performance while avoiding overtraining or injury. This personal insight helps in developing individualized training plans that aim to enhance endurance and overall running performance, making it a pivotal concept for coaches and athletes alike.