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The Omni Scale Is Not Suitable for Assessing Self-Perceived Exertion during Physical Activity in Preschoolers
Carlos Ayán1,2, José C Diz1,2, Silvia Varela1,2
1Department of Special Didactics, University of Vigo, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain.
Insights
The OMNI perceived exertion scale is not suitable for preschoolers. Its reliability and validity were poor, with inconsistent self-perceived exertion ratings and no correlation with heart rate.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric exercise science
- Physical activity measurement in children
Background:
- Assessing perceived exertion in young children is challenging.
- The OMNI scale is a common tool, but its adapted version's utility in preschoolers needed evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the utility, reliability, and validity of an adapted OMNI self-perceived exertion scale in preschoolers.
- To assess if the scale provides consistent and accurate measures of exertion in this age group.
Main Methods:
- Three studies involved preschoolers (ages 4.5-5.3 years) performing cardiorespiratory fitness tests.
- Perceived exertion was rated individually or in groups, with test-retest assessments and heart rate correlations.
Main Results:
- Perceived exertion ratings varied significantly based on individual versus group administration.
- The scale demonstrated poor test-retest reliability (ICC values low).
- No significant association was found between heart rate and perceived exertion ratings.
Conclusions:
- The adapted OMNI scale is not suitable for assessing self-perceived exertion in preschoolers.
- The scale's inconsistency and lack of correlation with physiological measures limit its use in this population.
Introduction:
We aimed to identify the utility, reliability, and validity of an adapted version of the OMNI self-perceived exertion (PE) rating scale in preschoolers.
Population And Methods:
Firstly, 50 (mean age ± standard deviation [SD] = 5.3 ± 0.5 years, 40% girls) performed a cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) test twice, with a one-week interval between assessments, and rated their PE either individually or in groups. Secondly, 69 children (mean age ± SD = 4.5 ± 0.5 years, 49% girls) performed two CRF tests, separated by a one-week interval, twice and rated their self-PE. Thirdly, the heart rate (HR) of 147 children (mean age ± SD = 5.0 ± 0.6 years, 47% girls) were compared against self-rated PE after finishing the CRF test.
Results:
Self-assessed PE differed when the scale was administered individually (e.g., 82% rated PE with 10) or in groups (42% rated PE with 10). The scale showed poor test-retest reliability (ICC:0.314-0.031). No significant associations were found between the HR and PE ratings.
Conclusions:
An adapted version of the OMNI scale was found not suitable for assessing self-PE in preschoolers.
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