Prediction of peak oxygen uptake in children using submaximal ratings of perceived exertion during treadmill exercise.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the utility of the Children's Effort Rating Table (CERT) and the Eston-Parfitt (EP) Scale in estimating peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) in children, during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on a treadmill.


METHODS
Fifty healthy children (n = 21 boys; 9.4 ± 0.9 years) completed a continuous, incremental protocol until the attainment of [Formula: see text]. Oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) was measured continuously, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were estimated at the end of each exercise stage using the CERT and the EP Scale. Ratings up to- and including RPE 5 and 7, from both the CERT (CERT 5, CERT 7) and EP Scale (EP 5, EP 7), were linearly regressed against the corresponding [Formula: see text], to both maximal RPE (CERT 10, EP 10) and terminal RPE (CERT 9, EP 9).


RESULTS
There were no differences between measured- and predicted [Formula: see text] from CERT 5, CERT 7, EP 5 and EP 7 when extrapolated to either CERT 9 or EP 9 (P > 0.05). Pearson's correlations of r = 0.64-0.86 were observed between measured- and predicted [Formula: see text], for all perceptual ranges investigated. However, only EP 7 provided a small difference when considering the standard error of estimate, suggesting that the prediction of [Formula: see text] from EP 7 would be within 10 % of measured [Formula: see text].


CONCLUSIONS
Although robust estimates of [Formula: see text] may be elicited using both the CERT and EP Scale during a single CPET with children, the most accurate estimates of [Formula: see text] occur when extrapolating from EP 7.
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. D.M.Lambrick@soton.ac.uk.
Danielle
D
Lambrick
School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
Haley
H
Bertelsen
Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
Roger
R
Eston
School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
Lee
L
Stoner
Faculty of Business, Law and Sport, University of Winchester, Winchester, UK.
James
J
Faulkner
D002648:Child; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
CPET; Paediatrics; RPE; Treadmill