OMNI scale perceived exertion at ventilatory breakpoint in children: response normalized.

Abstract

The Children's OMNI Scale of Perceived Exertion was used to identify a response normalized rating of perceived exertion (RPE)-Overall, RPE-Legs, and RPE-Chest that corresponds to the ventilatory breakpoint (Vpt) in 8- to 12-yr-old female and male children. Subjects were a priori stratified into two fitness groups on the basis of peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak): average (A) (41.0-49.0 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1); N = 24) and above average (AA) (50.0-58.0 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1); N = 24). Vpt was determined by a progressive cycle ergometer protocol to VO2 peak. A gender effect was not observed for any descriptive or dependent variable. Mean VO2peak for the A group was 1.72 L x min(-1) and for the AA group 2.04 L x min(-1). Vpt corresponded to 64.0% VO2 peak for A and 74.0% VO2peak for AA. RPE-Overall (mean A and AA, 6.1), RPE-Legs (mean A and AA, 7.2), and RPE-Chest (mean A and AA, 4.5) did not differ between the fitness groups. Findings indicated that undifferentiated and differentiated RPE-Vpt were similar between female and male children who varied in VO2peak and Vpt. A comparatively stable RPE-Vpt for 8- to 12-yr-old children that vary in VO2peak and Vpt indicates a group normalized perceptual response.