Self-regulated running using perceived exertion in children

The aim of this study was to examine the ability of 5- to 7-year-old female (n=16) and male (n=16) children to use perceived exertion in order to self-regulate their running intensity. An estimation-production paradigm was used to determine if 1) self-regulation of exercise using OMNI Scale could be administered in young children, 2) children were able to distinguish 3 different intermittent exercise intensities and 3) gender would differentiate the use of perceived exertion.

Children underwent 1) 1 estimation trial and 2) 3 production trials. During the estimation trial, perceived exertion was estimated at the end of each stage of an incremental running field test. Then, during the production test, the children were requested to run in random order 300 m bouts on an outdoor track at an exercise intensity based on their interpretation of levels 2, 6 and 10 of the OMNI Scale. Heart rate was continuously recorded during both trials.

Heart rate did not differ significantly between estimation and production trials at the level 2 (124.1 SD 6 vs 125.3 SD 4 bpm), 6 (164.9 SD 5 vs 166.2 SD 6 bpm) and 10 (200.9 SD 8 vs 203.1 SD 8) of the OMNI scale. Furthermore, HR responses at OMNI 6 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than OMNI 2, and OMNI 10 were significantly (p<0.05) higher that OMNI 6. No significant difference was found between female and male children.

The present investigation supports the view that the young female and male children tested in this study were able to use perceived exertion to self-regulate during intermittent running exercises.