The development of rating of perceived exertion-based tests of Physical Working Capacity

The purpose of the present study was to use ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) from the Borg (6-20) and OMNI-Leg (0-10) scales to determine the Physical Working Capacity at the Borg and OMNI thresholds ([PWC.sub.BORG] and [PWC.sub.OMNI]). [PWC.sub.BORG] and [PW.subC.oMNI] were compared with other fatigue thresholds determined from the measurement of heart rate (the Physical Working Capacity at the Heart Rate Threshold: [PWC.sub.HRT]), and oxygen consumption (the Physical Working Capacity at the Oxygen Consumption Threshold, [MATHEMATICAL NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII.]), as well as the ventilatory threshold (VT). Fifteen men and women volunteers (mean age [+ or -] SD = 22 [+ or -] 1 years) performed an incremental test to exhaustion on an electronically braked ergometer for the determination of V[O.sub.2 peak] and VT. The subjects also performed 4 randomly ordered workbouts to exhaustion at different power outputs (ranging from 60 to 206W) for the determination of [PWC.sub.BORG], [PWC.sub.OMNI], [PWC.sub.HRT], and [MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOR REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII.] The results indicated that there were no significant mean differences among the fatigue thresholds: [PWC.sub.BORG] (mean [+ or -] SD = 133 [+ or -] 37W; 67 [+ or -] 8% of V[O.sub.2 peak]), [PWC.sub.OMNI] (137 [+ or -] 44W; 68 [+ or -] 9% of V[O.sub.2] peak), [PW.sub.CHRT] (135 [+ or -] 36W; 68 [+ or -] 8% of V[O.sub.2 peak]), [MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOR REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCCI.],(145 [+ or -] 41W; 72 [+ or -] 7% of V[O.sub.2 peak]) and VT (131 [+ or -] 45W; 66 [+ or -] 8% of V[O.sub.2 peak]). The results of this study indicated that the mathematical model used to estimate [PW.sub.CHRT] and [MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII.], can be applied to ratings of perceived exertion to determine [PWC.sub.BORG] and [PWC.sub.OMNI] during cycle ergometry. Salient features of the [PWC.sub.BORG] and [PWC.sub.OMNI] tests are that they are simple to administer and require the use of only an RPE scale, a stopwatch, and a cycle ergometer. Furthermore, the power outputs at the [PWC.sub.BORG] and [PWC.sub.OMNI] may be useful to estimate the VT noninvasively and without the need for expired gas analysis. KEY WORDS fatigue threshold, Borg scale, OMNI-leg scale