title: A learning protocol improves the validity of the Borg 6-20 RPE scale during indoor cycling.
abstract: The present study assessed the effectiveness of an RPE learning protocol for improving the validity of the Borg 6-20 RPE scale for self-regulating exercise intensity during Indoor Cycling (IC). 16 healthy adults performed 5 IC sessions. Heart rate (HR) was continuously monitored. In sessions 1 and 5, participants perceptually regulated exercise intensity to produce pre-determined RPE levels equivalent to estimated HR levels. Sessions 2, 3 and 4 focused on the RPE learning protocol. The RPE-measured HR correlation was 0.59 in session 1 and 0.67 in session 5 (both P<0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient between measured HR and estimated HR was 0.85 in session 1 and 0.90 in session 5. There was bias in session 1 (3.69 bpm [SD=12.44]; P<0.001) but not in session 5 (0.99 bpm [SD=9.7]; P=0.178; mean HR difference session 5 vs. 1: -2.70 bpm [95% CI: -4.49 to -0.91]; P=0.003; Cohen's d=0.24). There was association between the HR difference and the magnitude of the measurement in session 1 (β=0.208; P<0.01) but not in session 5 (β=-0.072; P=0.34). These preliminary results suggested that an RPE learning protocol might slightly improve the validity of the Borg 6-20 RPE scale for exercise intensity self-regulation during IC sessions in healthy adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soriano-Maldonado
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics and Operative Research, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Femia
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roero
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport, School of Sports Sciences, University of Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010465:Perception; D005082:Physical Exertion; D015203:Reproducibility of Results