Validation of a rating scale of perceived exertion in young children.
The aim of this study was to develop and validate a scale rating the perceived exertion of young children (RPE-C) who do not read. This scale presents seven pictures showing a man who becomes progressively fatigued. In order to evaluate this scale, we examined its reliability and sensitivity. Thirteen children (aged 5 to 6 years) completed two identical incremental maximal running trials during a period of one week. A group of 12 adolescents and a group of 12 adults also tested the RPE-C by performing one trial under the same experimental conditions as the child group. RPE-C was recorded at the end of each load level. Statistical analysis revealed significant effects for velocity (F = 23.98, p < 0.0001) with non-significant effects for the trials. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) revealed an acceptable reliability of RPE-C at low and high exercise intensities but also showed a low reliability at intermediate load levels (0.17 < ICC < 0.77). A significant correlation between RPE-C and heart rate (r2 = 0.61, p < 0.0001) was observed in children. However, the r2 level was lower than that observed for the adolescent or adult groups. This finding demonstrates the sensitivity of RPE-C to discriminate the effects of age on perceived exertion. RPE-C seems to be a good tool which can be used in young children to monitor exercise performed at low and high intensities.
Groslambert
A
A
Laboratoire des Sciences du Sport, UFR STAPS de Besançon, France. alain.groslambert@univ-fcomte.fr
Hintzy
F
F
Hoffman
M D
MD
Dugué
B
B
Rouillon
J D
JD
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D010807:Physical Endurance; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires