Role of Ratings of Perceived Exertion during Self-Paced Exercise: What are We Actually Measuring?

Abstract

Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and effort are considered extremely important in the regulation of intensity during self-paced physical activity. While effort and exertion are slightly different constructs, these terms are often used interchangeably within the literature. The development of perceptions of both effort and exertion is a complicated process involving numerous neural processes occurring in various regions within the brain. It is widely accepted that perceptions of effort are highly dependent on efferent copies of central drive which are sent from motor to sensory regions of the brain. Additionally, it has been suggested that perceptions of effort and exertion are integrated based on the balance between corollary discharge and actual afferent feedback; however, the involvement of peripheral afferent sensory feedback in the development of such perceptions has been debated. As such, this review examines the possible difference between effort and exertion, and the implications of such differences in understanding the role of such perceptions in the regulation of pace during exercise.

How Does Interval-Training Prescription Affect Physiological and Perceptual Responses?

“…This proposed distinction between effort and exertion is consistent with our present data. It is also consistent with concepts proposed by Abbiss et al 15 explaining why subjects are often unable to reach maximal exertion when performing different exercise tasks.…”

“…Abbiss et al 15 recently argued that research around perceived exertion is complicated by the frequent mixing of these terms in both definitions and instructions for use of RPE and other perceptual scales. Exertion has been defined as "the degree of heaviness and strain experienced in physical work."…”

“…In their recent review, Abbiss et al 15 identify 7 different models from the literature explaining these relationships. One key point of debate among supporters of different models is whether afferent feedback from peripheral sensors directly influences perceived exertion during exercise, or whether perceived exertion is centrally driven and not directly modulated by this peripherally derived neural information.…”

Differentiation between perceived effort and discomfort during resistance training in older adults:Reliability of trainee ratings of effort and discomfort,and reliability and validity of trainer ratings of trainee effort

“…A recent review 23 has discussed the differentiation between what is termed effort, defined as "the amount of mental or physical energy being given to a task" (which we would note is a relative perception), and exertion defined as "the amount of heaviness and strain experienced in physical work". The authors of this review noted that both terms are often used interchangeably and in certain languages translate as synonyms.…”

A Systematic Review of Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of Borg's Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale

“…Borg (1998) 1 esclarece que as instruções para aplicação da escala devem ser claras e de simples compreensão, sendo necessário ter uma padronização entre os indivíduos que serão testados, a fim de obter um resultado mais preciso. O modo como as instruções são dadas e as perguntas feitas durante a utilização da escala de percepção de esforço podem exercer influências nos resultados e dificultar o entendimento da escala pelo indivíduo 42 . Outro problema refere-se a dificuldade de comparação entre estudos, quando as instruções e análises da percepção subjetiva de esforço são dadas de forma diferente entre as pesquisas.…”