Ratings of Perceived Exertion and Physiological Responses in Children During Exercise

OMNI ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and physiological responses in children (n=7 boys, 8 girls, 11.1±1.0 years) were examined during estimation (graded exercise test [GXT] and steady-state) and production (steady-state) trials on a cycle ergometer. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) was determined via a GXT with RPE estimated every 30 s. Later, two 6-min trials were completed: Participants 1) estimated RPE at ~75% of VO2peak, 2) produced a level of exertion corresponding to their RPE at ~75% of VO2peak during the GXT. Data analysis included a one-way MANOVA and a paired t-test. The target intensity during the GXT corresponded to 74.2±2.5% of VO2peak; the steady-state estimation and production trials were performed at 76.5±2.7% and 68.5±14.1% of VO2peak, respectively (p>0.05). Mean RPE at ~75% of VO2peak during the GXT and production trial was 6.7±1.5; during the steady-state estimation trial RPE was 5.8±2.0 (p>0.05). There were no differences (p>0.05) in the physiological responses. Participants estimated RPE similarly at ~75% of VO2peak during both graded and steady-state exercise, but when asked to produce a given RPE, marked variability was observed in physiological responses. These findings may have implications in optimizing exercise prescriptions for children.

Intensity selection and regulation using the OMNI scale of perceived exertion during intermittent exercise

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if subjects can self-regulate exercise intensity during intermittent exercise by using ratings of perceived exertion. Thirty-one subjects completed an estimation trial maximal treadmill graded exercise test (GXT). Using the oxygen uptake and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) from the GXT, target RPEs that corresponded to 50% and 70% of oxygen uptake reserve were determined. During the subsequent 20 min production trial, subjects titrated treadmill speed and grade to elicit the target RPEs that were presented in 2 counterbalanced orders (counterbalance order I (70%–50% of oxygen uptake reserve) or counterbalance order II (50%–70% of oxygen uptake reserve)). Heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake were higher in the production trial compared with the estimation trial for counterbalance order I (p < 0.001) at an RPE that corresponded to 50% of oxygen uptake reserve. There was no difference in HR and oxygen uptake between the estimation and production trial for counterbalance order II (p < 0.05). HR was higher in the production trial compared with estimation trial for counterbalance order I (p < 0.05) at an RPE that corresponded to 70% of oxygen uptake reserve. There was no difference in HR between the estimation and production trials for counterbalance order II (p < 0.05). At an RPE that corresponded to 70% of oxygen uptake reserve, there was no difference in the oxygen uptake between the estimation and production trials (p < 0.05). A difference in HR (p < 0.05) and oxygen uptake (p < 0.05) between the 2 prescribed production trial intensities was indicated. The subjects were able to utilize RPE to self-regulate intensity during 20 min of exercise at varying intensity when beginning with the target RPE that corresponded to 50% of oxygen uptake reserve.