Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale

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The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale or RPE scale is a self-report tool to measure the intensity of physical work needed to do a particular activity.[1][2] The RPE scale was developed by Gunnar Borg, a Swedish researcher, in 1982, and measures on the scale have been found to be correlated with heart rate.[3][4]

Borg CR-10[edit | edit source]

Borg also developed the Borg CR-10 scale, which rates perceived from exercise intensity from 0 (no exertion) to 10 (maximum).[5]

Theory[edit | edit source]

The scale scores perceived effort from 6 (no effort at all) to 20 (absolute maximum, exhaustion). Fitter people feel like they are putting in less effort than less fit or deconditioned people who are doing the same activity.[1]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

The RPE scale has a high correlation with heart rate, and is particularly used in sports science.[4]

Cost and availability[edit | edit source]

The RPE scale is copyrighted but is widely available and free to use in many hospitals or health settings, and on websites such as the World Health Organization and CDC.

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Perceived Exertion (Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale) | Physical Activity". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 17, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  2. Borg, Gunnar A.V. (1982). "Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion". Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 14 (5): 377–381. ISSN 0195-9131.
  3. 4.0 4.1 Williams, Nerys (July 1, 2017). "The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale". Occupational Medicine. 67 (5): 404–405. doi:10.1093/occmed/kqx063. ISSN 0962-7480.
  4. Borg, Gunnar A.V. (1998). "Borg's Perceived Exertion and Pain Scales". Human Kinetics. IL: Champaign. p. 104. Retrieved August 30, 2021.