Perception of impact is affected by stimulus intensity

Perception of external loads may be a central topic to understand adjustments to the mechanical demands during movement. Nevertheless, the association between the perceived and the real load received is still controversial. This study aimed to correlate vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) to the perception of impact in different regimens of stimulus application. Ten physically active men performed drop jumps from four different heights (0. 20, 0. 40, 0. 60 and 0. 80 m). A force plate measured the vGRF, while perception of impact was evaluated through Borg's Ratings of Perceived Exertion. Higher values of maximum vGRF (Fyₘax) and impulse of the first 50 ms (I₅0), and reduced time to reach Fyₘax indicate increased external forces as drop jump height raised. Perception of impact increased gradually with increasing jump height for I₅0. Fyₘax and I₅0 showed moderate to strong correlations to perceived load for 70% and 90% of participants, respectively. Higher and different intensity of stimulus facilitated the perception of impact, presenting moderate to strong correlations to kinetic parameters related to external load during landing from drop jump. Perception of higher impacts could be used as a surrogate to monitor 'real' impacts and possibly also for managing impact-related injury risk.