The validity of ratings of perceived exertion for cross-modal regulation of swimming intensity

Background. This study examined the use of Borg's category Ratings of Perce ived Exertion (RPE) scale for prescribing and self-regulating swimming inte nsity, Subjects were males and females (n=19) ages nineteen to fifty-eight who regularly swam for fitness, Experimental designs. Subjects completed six trials. Each trial was separat ed by a minimum of forty-eight hours. Mean cycle ergometry heart rates at e stimated RPE-overall 12 and 16 were compared to mean swimming heart rates a t produced RPE-overall 12 and 16, Also, mean arm ergometry heart rates at e stimated RPE-arms 12 and 16 were compared to mean swimming heart rates at p roduced RPE-arms 12 and 16, Cycling and arm ergometry anchor trials familia rized subjects with testing protocol and Borg's scale prior to estimation a nd production trials, Comparisons were made using a one-way ANOVA (alpha 0. 05), Results. Mean cycling heart rate at RPE-overall 16 was not significantly di fferent from mean swimming heart rate at RPE-overall 16, Mean swimming hear t rate was significantly greater than cycling heart rate at RPE-overall 12, Mean swimming heart rates at RPE-arms 12 and 16 were significantly greater than arm ergometry heart rates at RPE-arms 12 and 16, Conclusions. Results suggest that RPE-overall 16 may be useful in prescribi ng a higher exercise intensity for swimmers. However, adjustments from RPE- overall 12 are needed for establishing a lower intensity, Additionally, arm ergometry-based RPEs may require adjustments to be effective in prescribin g and regulating swimming intensity, Results suggest that cycling and arm e rgometry anchored RPE responses should be used with discretion when prescri bing and regulating swimming intensity.