Comparison of rating of perceived exertion scales during incremental and interval exercise

Abstract

The Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is an important measure of exercise intensity, which is useful both as a primary and adjunctive method of exercise prescription. However, there are multiple variants of the Borg RPE scale, primarily the Borg 6-20 RPE scale (BORG-RPE) and the Borg Category-Ratio-10 scale (BORG-CR10). There are inadequate data available to address the comparability and interchangeability of these two widely used scales. Well-trained non-athletes performed two increment cycle tests, with each scale used in a random sequence. Subjects also performed interval sessions at three intensities (50, 75 and 85% of peak power output) with each scale used in a random sequence. There were very large correlations during the incremental exercise between the conventional physiological measures (% heart rate reserve – r=0.89 & r=.87); and %VO2reserve (r=.88 & r=.90) and RPE measured by either the BORG-RPE or the BORGCR10, respectively. This pattern was also evident during the interval exercise (% heart rate reserve (r=.85 & r=.84; and blood lactate concentration – r=.74 & r=.78) and RPE measured by either the BORG-RPE or the BORG-CR10, respectively. The relationship between RPE measured by the BORG-RPE and the BORGCR10 was large and best described by a non-linear relationship for both the incremental (R2=89) and the interval (R2=.89) exercise. The incremental and interval curves were virtually overlapping. We concluded that the two most popular versions of the RPE scale, BORG-RPE and BORG-CR10, were both highly related to the conventional physiological measures and very strongly related to each other, with an easily described conversion.