Comparison of RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion) Scales for Session RPE

PURPOSE:: The Session RPE (sRPE) is a well-accepted method of monitoring training load in athletes in many different sports. It is based on the Category-Ratio (0-10) RPE scale (BORG-CR10) developed by Borg. There is no evidence how substitution of the Borg 6-20 RPE scale (BORG-RPE) might influence the sRPE in athletes. METHODS:: Systematically training, recreational level athletes from a number of sport disciplines performed six, randomly ordered, 30-minute interval training sessions, at intensities based on peak power output (PPO) and designed to be easy (50%PPO), moderate (75%PPO) or hard (85%PPO). Ratings of sRPE were obtained 30 minutes post-exercise using either the BORG-CR10 or BORG-RPE and compared for matched exercise conditions. RESULTS:: The average percent of heart rate reserve (%HRR) was well-correlated with sRPE from both BORG-CR10 (r = .76) and BORG-RPE (r = .69). The sRPE ratings from BORG-CR10 and BORG-RPE were very strongly correlated (r = .90) at matched times. CONCLUSIONS:: Although producing different absolute numbers, sRPE derived from either the BORG-CR10 or BORG-RPE provide essentially interchangeable estimates of perceived exercise training intensity.