Using RPE to Regulate Exercise Intensity during a 20-Week Training Program for Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Feelings of effort sense quantified via the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale have been validated for regulating exercise intensity. Most studies validating RPE for exercise prescription have used young, male subjects and only a few exercise sessions. As part of a larger study we examined the accuracy of RPE for regulating exercise intensity in a group of postmenopausal women. Six women (70.0+/-7.1 yr.) were given a maximal graded exercise test. Target RPEs equivalent to 40%, 50% and 60% VO2 max were developed from this test using standard techniques. These RPEs were used to regulate intensity during a 20-wk. training program. During the initial 5 wk. of training target intensity was increased from 40% to 60% VO2 max and exercise duration from 15 to 30 min. Accuracy of exercise intensity regulation was determined by comparing the heart rate during exercise to a target heart rate equivalent to the desired %VO2 max. At Week 2 of training (target 40% VO2 max) the mean intensity produced did not differ from target. During Weeks 4 (target 50% VO2 max), 6 and 10 of training (target 60% VO2 max) the mean exercise intensity was below target. At Week 20 the mean intensity produced was not different from target. This suggests that elderly women can accurately use RPE to regulate exercise intensity, but at intensities above 40% VO2 max an acclimation period is needed.

Perceptually Regulated Training at RPE13 Is Pleasant and Improves Physical Health

“…Two-factor (session [week 1, week 8] x time [5,10,15,20,25, and 30 min]) flilly repeated-measures ANOVA were conducted on affect, HR, and VO2. A significant time main effect was recorded for HR (F,.8,28.2 = 7.9, P < 0.01, T)p^ = 0.35), with HR increasing across time during training from 133.8 ± 16.5 bpm in the first 5 min to 144.3 + 22.9 bpm in the last 5 min.…”

“…To examine the acute affective (FS) and physiological (HR and VO2) responses reeorded during the PRET sessions, two-factor (session [week 1 vs week 8] x time[5,10,15,20,25, and 30 min]) repeated-measures ANOVA were conducted. VO2 was extrapolated fi-om the speed and gradient of the treadmill during training.…”

Knowledge of the Endpoint: Effect on Perceptual Values

“…Thus, whatever the activities, the athlete expects an endpoint (i.e., known or anticipated) which could be reached as the athlete finishes the exercise. Perceived exertion, which is defined as the intensity of subjective effort, strain, discomfort, and fatigue that one feels during exercise, is used for clinical, ergonomic, pedagogical and sporting applications [19] to predict some physiological variables [8] or even to regulate exercise intensities [7]. Numerous scales have been developed to measure perceived exertion but the Ratings of Perceived Exertion scale (RPE) [3] seems to be the most frequently used one [20].…”

Effects of muscle activity and number of resistance exercise repetitions on perceived exertion in tonic and phasic muscle of young Korean adults

“…Therefore, it is safe to conclude that as the intensity and heart rate increase, RPE increases. EMG activity can mediate RPE 18 ) , indicating that RPE could be used to regulate the intensity of exercise 19 ) .…”