Exercise regulation during cycle ergometry using Cantonese version of the CERT and Borg's RPE

The purposes of the current study were (a) to assess the reliability of reproducing exercise intensity at a given effort rating during cycle ergometry using the Cantonese translated Borg's standard 6-20 rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale and the 1-10 Children's Effort Rating (CERT) scale, and (b) to determine whether there is gender difference in the exercise responses at a given level of CERT or RPE ratings. Thirty boys and 30 girls aged 9-12 years were randomly assigned equally in gender to one of the following two groups: RPE and CERT. Each child performed two trials of four exercise bouts in either at CERTs 3, 5, 7 and 9 or at RPEs 8, 12, 15 and 18 in random order and on two separate days. Heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2) and the final regulated power output (PO) at each rating level were measured. The results suggested that the boys and girls were able to comprehend both scales and use them to guide the regulation of exercise power output. The increase in power output reported by the children at each scale level coincided with the increase in power output regulated by the children, with concomitant increases in HR and VO 2 providing evidence that the children understood and were able to differentiate the concept of the scale level. This study was the first with the Cantonese translated RPE and CERT scales using production cycling protocol. The findings provided evidence for the validity of the Cantonese CERT and RPE scale.