Title: The Validity Of Using Ratings Of Perceived Exertion To Monitor Intensity During Physical Education Classes
Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the validity of ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) from the OMNI-Child scale as a measure of intensity in children in a physical education setting. METHODS:Heart rate and RPE were assessed during the PACER test. The PACER test was used because it provides structured increases in intensity that should result in variations in both heart rate and perceived exertion. Eighty students in grades six (n=26; mean age=11.1 yrs), seven (n=25; mean age=12.1 yrs) and eight (n=29; mean age=13.0 yrs) performed the PACER test as part of their annual fitness assessment. Heart rate and RPE were measured four times - at the end of levels 2 (HR1), 4 (HR2) and 6 (HR3) and when the student completed the test (HRfinal). Heart rate was monitored using Ekho monitors and RPE was measured using the OMNI-Child RPE scale. RESULTS: Separate repeated-measures ANOVAs were calculated to examine differences in RPE and heart rate across the levels of the PACER test. ANOVA results indicated significant RPE and heart rate main effects (p < 0.01). RPE increased significantly (p < 0.008) as the intensity of exercise increased. HR1 was significantly (p < 0.008) lower than HR3 and HRfinal. There were no other significant differences among heart rates from any other time points. There were no significant correlations between heart rate and RPE. CONCLUSIONS: Ratings of perceived exertion increase as intensity increases, suggesting that RPE can be used to monitor changes in intensity in physical education settings.