Self-regulated cycling using the Children's OMNI Scale of Perceived Exertion.

PURPOSE: An estimation and production paradigm was used to determine whether clinically normal 8- to 12-yr-old female (N = 18) and male (N = 18) children could (a) self-regulate intermittent cycle ergometer exercise using a prescribed target rating of perceived exertion (RPE), (b) discriminate between target RPEs, and (c) produce intermittent target RPEs in both an ascending and descending sequence.
METHODS: Overall body RPE was assessed with the Children's OMNI Scale (0-10). Subjects underwent (a) one orientation trial, (b) one estimation (E) trial, and (c) two production (P) trials. During E, RPE was estimated each minute of a progressive cycle ergometer test. During the 3-min intermittent P trials, subjects titrated cycle brake force to produce either an RPE sequence of 2 and 6 (ascending) or 6 and 2 (descending). The P trials simulated short, intermittent exercise typical of children's play.
RESULTS: Oxygen uptake (VO2) did not differ between E and P at a target RPE of 2 (0.63 versus 0.66 L x min(-1)) and 6 (1.27 vs 1.21 L x min(-1)). Heart rate (HR) did not differ between E and P at a target RPE of 2 (104.1 vs 102.6 beats.min-1) and 6 (153.7 vs 154.5 beats x min(-1)). Both VO2 and HR were higher (P < 0.01) at a target RPE-6 than -2. Responses were not affected by gender or production sequence.
CONCLUSION: Young female and male children were able to use the OMNI Scale to self-regulate short-duration intermittent cycle exercise intensity.