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

Purpose: The Children's OMNI Scale of Perceived Exertion was used to identi fy a response normalized rating of perceived exertion (RPE)-Overall, RPE-Le gs, and RPE-Chest that corresponds to die ventilatory breakpoint (Vpt) in 8 - to 12-yr-old female and male children. Methods: Subjects were a priori st ratified into two fitness groups on the basis of peak oxygen uptake ((V)ove r dotO(2peak)): average (A) (41.0-49.0 mL.kg(-1).min(-1); N=24) and above a verage (AA) (50.0-58.0 mL.kg(-1).min(-1); N=24). Vpt was determined by a pr ogressive cycle ergometer protocol to (V)over dotO(2peak). Results: A gende r effect was not observed for any descriptive or dependent variable. Mean ( V)over dotO(2peak) for the A group was 1.72 L-min(-1) and for the AA group 2.04 L-min(-1). Vpt corresponded to 64.0% (V)over dotO(2peak) for A and 74. 0% (V)over dotO(2peak) 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 betw een the fitness groups. Conclusion: Findings indicated that undifferentiate d and differentiated RPE-Vpt were similar between female and male children who varied in (V)over dotO(2peak) and Vpt. A comparatively stable RPE-Vpt f or 8- to 12-yr-old children that vary in (V)over dotO(2peak) and Vpt indica tes a group normalized perceptual response.