A submaximal treadmill test for developing target ratings of perceived exertion for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation.
For patient populations whose heart rates cannot be used to regulate exercise intensity, the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale is the preferred way to prescribe exercise intensity. Individual perceptual variations are best quantified by measuring perceptual intensity during maximal exercise testing; however, many situations require a submaximal protocol. Here, a submaximal treadmill procedure for establishing individualized target Ratings of Perceived Exertion is described. Target ratings of exertion were developed for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation patients using the new method and compared to target Ratings of Perceived Exertion obtained using standard techniques. A total of 144 target ratings at intensities ranging from 50% to 85% VO2max were compared. Over-all, the average difference between the two methods was 0.27 units and was not significant at any intensity. Therefore, the Treadmill Slope Method appears to be a valid submaximal test for generating target Ratings of Perceived Exertion for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation patients.
Dunbar
C C
CC
Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science, Brooklyn College of the City, University of New York, USA.
Glickman-Weiss
E L
EL
Bursztyn
D A
DA
Kurtich
M
M
Quiroz
A
A
Conley
P
P
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*