Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)The aims of this study were to verify the relationship between rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and electromyography (EMG) increases during exhaustive constant-load cycling bouts and, to compare and to correlate the power outputs corresponding to perceived exertion threshold (PET) and neuromuscular fatigue threshold (NFT). 11 men completed 3-4 different exhaustive constant-load cycling bouts on a cycle ergometer, being RPE and EMG measured throughout the bouts. The linear regression of the RPE(slope) and EMG(slope) against the power output identified the PET and NFT intensity, respectively. There was a significant relationship between RPE slope and EMG(slope) (R(2) = 0.69; P < 0.01). However, the linearity of RPE(slope) (R(2) = 0.93 +/- 0.07) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than EMG(slope) (R(2) = 0.63 +/- 0.25). In addition, the RPE(slope) and EMG(slope) were related to time to exhaustion (r = -0.59 and r = -0.60; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference (P = 0.42) between PET (201.5 +/- 27.9W) and NFT (210.3 +/- 22.6W) and they were significantly correlated (r = 0.78; P = 0.005). Therefore, the RPE and EMG increases during exhaustive constant-load cycling bouts are related and, PET and NFT intensities are similar and closely associated.3110683688Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAPESP [04/12589-0]