Validation of the adult OMNI scale of perceived exertion for cycle ergometer exercise.

PURPOSE: Concurrent and construct validity of the OMNI-Cycle Scale of Perceived Exertion were examined using young adult women and men (18-32 yr).

METHODS: Concurrent validity was established by correlating OMNI-Cycle Scale ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) with oxygen consumption (.VO2) and heart rate (HR) responses to a load-incremented cycle ergometer protocol. Construct validity was established by correlating RPE derived from the OMNI-Cycle Scale with RPE from the Borg (6-20) Scale. RPE, .VO2, and HR were measured during each exercise stage.

RESULTS: The range of exercise responses across the incremental test for the female and male groups was .VO2 = 0.92-2.74 L.min-1, HR = 107.2-167.2 beats.min-1, and OMNI Scale RPE-Overall, RPE-Legs, and RPE-Chest 1.0-9.1. Correlation/regression analyses indicated that RPE-Overall, RPE-Legs, and RPE-Chest distributed as a positive linear function of both .VO2 and HR (r = 0.81 to 0.95; P < 0.01). Undifferentiated and differentiated RPE-OMNI Scale distributed as a positive linear function of RPE-Borg Scale (r = 0.92 to 0.97; P < 0.01). ANOVA indicated that OMNI-Cycle RPE-Legs was higher (P < 0.01) than RPE-Chest at each exercise stage for both genders.

CONCLUSION: Concurrent and construct evidence supports use of the OMNI Scale by adult women and men to estimate RPE during cycle exercise.