Determination of ventilatory threshold based on rating of perceived exertion scale

Abstract

The objective of the study was to test the possibility of using the fixed value (12-13) of the Rating of Perceived scale (RPE scale), as a valid method for determination of ventilatory threshold (VT). The sample of the subjects included 32 physically active males (age: 22.3; TV: 180.5; TM: 75.5 kg; VO2max: 57.1 mL/kg/min). During the continuous test of progressively increasing load on a treadmill, cardiorespiratory and other parameters were monitored using ECG and gas analyzer. Following the test, VT and VO2max were determined. During the test, at each level, at the scale from 6 to 20, the subjects pointed the number that suited best their currently feeling of strain. The RPE threshold was defined as constant value of 12-13. Average values of ventilatory and RPE threshold were expressed by parameters that were monitored and then compared by using t-test for dependent samples. No significant difference was found between mean values of VT and RPE threshold, when they were expressed by relevant parameters: speed, load, heart rate, absolute and relative oxygen consumption. Fixed value (12-13) of RPE scale may be used to detect the exercise intensity that corresponds to ventilatory threshold.

Ventilatory Threshold Related to V̇O2reserve, Heart Rate Reserve, and Rating of Perceived Exertion in a Large Varied Sample

“…Moreover, subset analyses for RPE at VT reveal that the lowest mean was 12.1 in 236 females from the HERITAGE Family Study, and the highest was 13.1 in 58 wildland firefighters. Since moderate-intensity exercise of RPE 12 (between RPE 11 = somewhat light and RPE 12 = somewhat hard) is a recommended intensity for initiating an exercise program, this consistent finding in mean RPE values supports the use of the exercise intensity at VT as a reference point for initiating an exercise program, as others have previously reported (3–7,21–27). Thus, the U-shaped relationship observed for the relative values of V̇O 2peak –VT%V̇O 2 R (Fig.…”

“…The six key findings from this investigation of a heterogeneous population are as follows: 1) RPE at VT is consistently 12 to 13 when stratified for age, sex, The first key finding is that the mean RPE at VT is consistently 12 to 13 (12.5 ± 0.93) over a wide range of VO 2peak and VO 2 vt values (Tables 2 and 3). The variance in our populations is somewhat smaller than previously reported (5)(6)(7)15,24) possibly due to consistency of testing and VT analysis applied across this large study population. There is a slightly higher but nonsignificant difference in RPE in aerobically fit individuals over sedentary ones, a finding that cannot be confirmed as physiologically relevant at this time.…”

Tolerance to exercise intensity modulates pleasure when exercising in music: The upsides of acoustic energy for High Tolerant individuals

“…Moderate activities register 11 to 14 on the Borg scale (“fairly light” to “somewhat hard”), while vigorous activities usually rate a 15 or higher (“hard” to “very, very hard”). In the scientific literature, it has been shown that active healthy individuals and athletes are able to use the RPE as a way to produce different physical efforts [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Moreover, during incremental exercises using production procedures, VT appears when the physical activity is produced and perceived as “somewhat difficult” (RPE 13 on the 6–20 Borg Scale) in active males when running [ 38 ] and athletes when cycling [ 37 ].…”

“…In the scientific literature, it has been shown that active healthy individuals and athletes are able to use the RPE as a way to produce different physical efforts [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Moreover, during incremental exercises using production procedures, VT appears when the physical activity is produced and perceived as “somewhat difficult” (RPE 13 on the 6–20 Borg Scale) in active males when running [ 38 ] and athletes when cycling [ 37 ]. Results obtained by Eston and Williams [ 36 ] are interesting as they indicate that non-athlete adults can use the Borg scale to self regulate their physical effort as a function of their inner feelings of exertion.…”

Determination of the Ventilatory Threshold with Affective Valence and Perceived Exertion in Trained Cyclists: A Preliminary Study

“…However, most of the studies that determine perceptively the ventilatory threshold (5,13,22) were carried out on sedentary subjects and investigated perceived exertion by using the Borg's RPE 6-20 (1). One major limit is that this rating scale has been constructed to follow the physiologically linear increase of aerobic energy demands for increasing exercise intensity.…”