Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale

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. 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.

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

Theory
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.

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

Cost and availability
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.

Learn more

 * Perceived Exertion (Borg scale) - CDC
 * Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale - HealthLink British Columbia