Understanding The Borg Scale In Setting Up Curriculi

Perhaps the most significant nugget of information that I attained in my post cardiac bypass rehabilitation was the"Borg" scale. The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is a way of measuring physical activity intensity level. Perceived exertion is how hard you feel like your body is working. It is based on the physical sensations a person experiences during physical activity, including increased heart rate, increased respiration or breathing rate, increased sweating, and muscle fatigue. Although this is a subjective measure, a person's exertion rating may provide a fairly good estimate of the actual heart rate during physical activity.


In contemplating a structured syllabus that promotes good cardiac health, consideration may be given to the inclusion of the Borg scale.

Most of our syllabi contain at least some cardiac work. However a graduated increase in the hearts work-rate  is required. Overworking the heart is obviously not desirable though this can easily occur through over zealous instruction.


Therefore some knowledge of how to use the  Borg scale may prove a useful tool.


The links below offer some good information:
http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/measuring/exertion.html
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/staying-active/borg-scale/


Another short but useful video clip: