RATINGS OF PERCEIVED EXERTION AT MAXIMAL EXERCISE IN CHILDREN PERFORMING DIFFERENT GRADED-EXERCISE TEST

The purpose of this study was to examine the rating of perceived exert ion (RPE) at maximal exercise in children performing three different g raded exercise tests on a treadmill, Eighteen children with a mean+/-S D age of 10.3+/-1.4 years volunteered for this study, Each subject per formed three different graded exercise test protocols on a treadmill, The protocols consisted of walking only, running only, and combination walk/run, Mean VO2max (ml . kg(-1). min(-1)) during the walking trial (37.3+/-5.0) was significantly (p<0.05) less than during the running (52.1+/-4.9) and combination trials (51.9+/-5.1). Mean HRmax (bpm) was significantly (p<0.05) lower during the walking test (195.2+/-7.9) co mpared to the running (202.2+/-7.4) and combination tests (202.3+/-6.6 ), Mean RPE at maximal exercise was 18.1+/-2.1 in the walking trial, 1 6.8+/-3.0 in the running trial, and 16.8+/-2.6 in the combination tria l, and was significantly (p<0.05) greater in the walking trial compare d to the other two testing protocols, These data indicate that althoug h VO2max during a walking test is lower effort sensation is higher com pared to protocols that use running as the mode of exercise, The facto rs involved with RPE selection in this age-group remain to be establis hed.