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The Use of Ratings of Perceived Exertion in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review

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Abstract

In adults, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) can be used to predict maximal oxygen uptake, estimate time to exhaustion, assess internal training load and regulate exercise intensity. However, the utility of RPE in children is less researched and therefore, warrants investigation. The purpose of this scoping review is to map out the literature around the application of RPE specifically during aerobic exercise in paediatric populations. Seven bibliographic databases were systematically searched. Grey literature searching and pearling of references were also conducted. To be included for the review, studies were required to comply with the following: (1) participants aged ≤ 18 years asymptomatic of any injuries, disabilities or illnesses; (2) applied RPE in aerobic exercise, testing and/or training; (3) included at least one measure of exercise intensity; and (4) be available in English. The search identified 22 eligible studies that examined the application of RPE in children. These studies involved a total of 718 participants across ten different countries. Nine different types of RPE scales were employed. Overall, the application of RPE in paediatric populations can be classified into three distinct themes: prediction of cardiorespiratory fitness/performance, monitoring internal training loads, and regulation of exercise intensity. The utility of RPE in paediatric populations remains unclear due to the small body of available research and inconsistencies between studies. However, findings from the included studies in this scoping review may show promise. Further research focussing on child-specific RPE scales across various sports, subgroups, and in field-based settings is needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

    Daiki Kasai, Gaynor Parfitt, Brett Tarca, Roger Eston & Margarita D. Tsiros

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  1. Daiki Kasai
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  2. Gaynor Parfitt
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  3. Brett Tarca
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  4. Roger Eston
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  5. Margarita D. Tsiros
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the conception, design and formulation of the scoping review protocol. DK created the search strategy, conducted screening, data charting and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. BT conducted screening and data charting. DK, MT, GP and RE contributed to data interpretation. GP, RE and MT revised the original manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daiki Kasai.

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This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Conflict of Interest

Daiki Kasai, Gaynor Parfitt, Brett Tarca, Roger Eston and Margarita Tsiros declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Kasai, D., Parfitt, G., Tarca, B. et al. The Use of Ratings of Perceived Exertion in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review. Sports Med 51, 33–50 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01374-w

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