The purpose of this study was: 1) to investigate the responses of heart rate (HR), blood lactate and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) to 1,000 punches and 1,000 kicks in collegiate highly skilled (BB Group) and novice (WB Group) karate practitioners; and, 2) to compare RPE obtained from the subjects to RPE expected by their coaches. The mean values ofHR, percent of maximal HR (%HRmax) , percent of maximal HR reserve (%MHRR), blood lactate and RPE in I ,OOO punches for the BB Group were 102.5± 14.8 beats min^-1, 53.1 ± 8.5% , 27.1± 12.7% , 0.8 ± 0.2 mmoll^-1 and 12.2 ± 1.2, respectively, and for the WB Group were 116.1 ± 17.9 beats min^-1, 58.1± 7.70%, 35.2 ± 13.3%, 1.2 ± 0.6 mmoll^-1 and 12.8 ± 1.2, respectively. Likewise, the mean values in 1,000 kicks for the BB Group were 127.4 ± 12.4 beats min^-1, 66.0 ± 8.0%, 47.0 ± 12.5% , 1.3 ± 0.4 mmol^-1 and 14.2± 1.2, respectively, and for the WB Group were 137.0 ± 14.4 beats min^-1 70.1 ± 7.4%, 52.0 ± 12.8%,2.4 ± 0.8 mmol 1^-1 and 16.3 ± 1.5, respectively. These responses to 1,000 punches and 1,000 kicks were moderate, and the RPE for 1,000 punches in both BB and WB Groups and for 1,000 kicks in the BB Group were significantly lower than the RPE expected by their coaches.
