Age-Related Differences in OMNI-RPE Scale Validity in Youth: A Longitudinal Analysis. Issue 8 (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: GAMMON, CATHERINE; PFEIFFER, KARIN A.; PIVARNIK, JAMES M.; MOORE, REBECCA W.; RICE, KELLY R.; TROST, STEWART G.
• Is Part Of: Medicine and science in sports and exercise. Volume 48:Issue 8(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: PERCEIVED EXERTION -- HEART RATE -- CHILDREN -- ADOLESCENTS; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000918
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-9131

Abstract

ABSTRACT: RPE scales are used in exercise science research to assess perceptions of physical effort. RPE scale validity has been evaluated by assessing correlations between RPE and physiological indicators. Cross-sectional studies indicate that RPE scale validity improves with age; however, this has not been studied longitudinally. Purpose: This study aimed to examine age-related trends in OMNI-RPE scale validity, using a longitudinal study design, and HR and oxygen uptake (V˙O2 ) as criterion measures. Methods: Participants performed eleven 5-min activity trials at baseline, 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-up (V˙O2 data: N = 160; HR data: N = 138). HR and V˙O2 between minutes 2.5 and 4.5 of each activity were recorded. At the end of each activity, participants reported RPE. Children were stratified into the following age-groups: 6–8, 9–10, 11–12, and ≥13 yr. Within-subject correlations between OMNI-RPE and HR/V˙O2 were calculated at each time point. Differences between correlations for consecutive time points were evaluated using 95% confidence intervals. Results: Among children age 6–8 yr at baseline, correlations progressed from 0.67 to 0.78 (V˙O2 ) and from 0.70 to 0.79 (HR) for 36 months. Among children age 9–10 yr at baseline, the mean within-subject correlation was 0.78 at baseline and 0.81 at 36-month follow-up. Among children age 11–12 and ≥13 yr at baseline, OMNI-RPE ratings demonstrated strong validity ( r ≥ 0.82) at each time point. Conclusions: For the 36-month follow-up, OMNI-RPE scale validity improved among children age 6–8 yr at baseline and remained strong among children age 9–10, 11–12, and ≥13 yr at baseline. Moderate correlations for the youngest participants suggest that caution should be used when interpreting OMNI-RPE reports from children younger than 8 yr.