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Validation of Omni scale of perceived exertion during prolonged cycling
Alan C Utter1, Jie Kang, David C Nieman
1Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA. utterac@appstate.edu
Purpose:
The present investigation was conducted to validate the OMNI ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) scale during prolonged cycle exercise when subjects were supplemented with either carbohydrate or placebo.
Methods:
Fifteen trained cyclists cycled for 2.5 h at approximately 60% maximal watts on two occasions while receiving 4 mL x kg(-1) x 15 min(-1) carbohydrate (6%) (C) or placebo (P) beverages in a randomized, counterbalanced design. Concurrent and construct validity was established by evaluating perceptual responses with both the OMNI and Borg RPE scales every 20 min throughout the trials.
Results:
The pattern of change in RPE over time was significantly different between C and P ingestion (P < 0.05), with an attenuated RPE response in C found at the hundredth minute for both the OMNI and Borg scales. The pattern of change in the respiratory exchange ratio and carbohydrate oxidation rates were significantly greater (P < 0.001) in the C than P condition. RPE-OMNI was positively and linearly related to the RPE-BORG; r = 0.60-0.98 (P < 0.01) throughout exercise for both the C and P conditions.
Conclusions:
Concurrent and construct evidence supports the use of the OMNI-cycle scale by adult men to estimate RPE during prolonged cycle exercise under differing conditions of carbohydrate supplementation.
