Prediction of peak oxygen consumption from the ratings of perceived exertion during a graded exercise test and ramp exercise test in able-bodied participants and paraplegic persons

Al-Rahamneh HQ, Eston RG. Prediction of peak oxygen consumption from the ratings of perceived exertion during a graded exercise test and ramp exercise test in able-bodied participants and paraplegic persons.

Objective

To assess the accuracy of predicting peak oxygen consumption (Vo₂peak) from a graded exercise test (GXT) and a ramp exercise test during arm exercise in able-bodied persons and persons with paraplegia using ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs).

Design

Each participant performed a GXT (started at 30W and increased by 15W every 2min) and a ramp exercise test (started at 0W and increased by 15W·min⁻¹).

Setting

Universities' laboratories.

Participants

Able-bodied men (n=13; mean ± SD, 27.2±4.3y) and men with paraplegia (n=12; 31.1±5.7y). Six of the persons with paraplegia had flaccid paralysis as a result of poliomyelitis infection. The other 6 persons had complete spinal cord injuries with neurologic levels at and below T6.

Intervention

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Prediction of Vo₂peak by extrapolating submaximal oxygen consumption (V?o₂) and RPE values to RPE 20 on the Borg 6 to 20 RPE scale.

Results

This study showed a very strong linear relationship between RPE and V?o₂ during the GXT and the ramp test for able-bodied persons (R²≥.95 and R²≥.96, respectively) and persons with paraplegia (R²≥.96 and R²≥.95, respectively). There was no significant difference between measured and predicted Vo₂peak from RPEs before and including RPE 13, 15, and 17 during the GXT for persons with paraplegia (P>.05). For the able-bodied participants, there was no significant difference between measured and predicted Vo₂peak from RPEs before and including RPE 15 and 17 during the ramp exercise test (P>.05).

Conclusion

The GXT provided acceptable predictions of Vo₂peak for persons with paraplegia, and the ramp test provided acceptable predictions of Vo₂peak for able-bodied persons.