Children's OMNI Scale of Perceived Exertion: walking/running evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
The Children's OMNI-walk/run Scale of Perceived Exertion (category range, 0-10) was evaluated using male and female children (6-13 yr of age) during a treadmill graded exercise test.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, perceptual estimation paradigm using a walking/running test protocol was administered. Oxygen uptake (VO(2), mL x min(-1)), %VO(2max), ventilation (VE, L x min(-1)), respiratory rate (RR, breaths x min(-1)), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR, beats x min(-1)), V(E)/VO(2) ratio, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) measurements were made every minute throughout the test.


RESULTS
Significant correlations were found between OMNI-walk/run Scale RPE responses and VO(2), %VO(2max), HR, V(E)/VO(2) ratio, and RR throughout the maximal treadmill exercise test. The strongest correlations were found between RPE and %VO(2max) (r = 0.41-0.60, P < 0.001) and HR (r = 0.26-0.52, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The psychophysiological responses provide validity evidence for use of the Children's OMNI-walk/run Scale over a wide range of exercise intensities during both walking and running.
Utter
Alan C
AC
Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA. utterac@appstate.edu
Robertson
Robert J
RJ
Nieman
David C
DC
Kang
Jie
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology