Contribution of flow state to the discrepancy between perceived exercise intensity and physiological intensity during endurance bike exercise.
BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation September 26, 2025 Satoshi Takinami, Yasushi Nakatani, Yumie Ono et al.
Flow states, characterized by an autotelic experience, may reduce the perception of physical exertion during endurance exercise. The study assessed flow conditions during cycling on a bicycle ergometer, measuring flow with a shortened Flow State Scale, perceived exertion with the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), and physiological responses including heart rate, oxygen consumption, breathing, and cerebral oxygenation via near-infrared spectroscopy. Participants were divided into RPE alleviation and escalation groups. RPE changes differed significantly between groups (p = 0.0002) despite no significant difference in heart rate changes (p = 0.36). Discrepancy ratios between perceived and physiological intensity also differed significantly (p = 0.001) and negatively correlated with flow state levels (r = -0.56).