Assessment of Exercise Intensity for Uphill Walking in Healthy Adults Performed Indoors and Outdoors

Laura Eisenberger (), Barbara Mayr, Maximilian Beck, Verena Venek, Christina Kranzinger, Andrea Menzl, Inga Jahn, Mahdi Sareban, Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz, Josef Niebauer and Birgit Böhm
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Laura Eisenberger: Institute of Preventive Pediatrics, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 80992 Munich, Germany
Barbara Mayr: Institute of Sports Medicine, Prevention and Rehabilitation and Research Institute of Molecular Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Maximilian Beck: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Verena Venek: Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Christina Kranzinger: Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Andrea Menzl: St. Irmingard Klinik Prien, Clinic for Cardiology, 83209 Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
Inga Jahn: St. Irmingard Klinik Prien, Clinic for Cardiology, 83209 Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
Mahdi Sareban: Institute of Sports Medicine, Prevention and Rehabilitation and Research Institute of Molecular Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz: Institute of Preventive Pediatrics, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 80992 Munich, Germany
Josef Niebauer: Institute of Sports Medicine, Prevention and Rehabilitation and Research Institute of Molecular Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Birgit Böhm: Institute of Preventive Pediatrics, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 80992 Munich, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-12

Abstract: Background: Borg’s rating of perceived exertion (BRPE) scale is a simple, but subjective tool to grade physical strain during exercise. As a result, it is widely used for the prescription of exercise intensity, especially for cardiovascular disease prevention. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare relationships between BRPE and physiological measures of exercise intensity during uphill walking indoors and outdoors. Methods: 134 healthy participants [median age: 56 years (IQR 52–63)] completed a maximal graded walking test indoors on a treadmill using the modified Bruce protocol, and a submaximal 1 km outdoor uphill cardio-trekking test (1 km CTT). Heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (V̇O 2 ) were continuously measured throughout both tests. BRPE was simultaneously assessed at the end of each increment on the treadmill, while the maximal BRPE value was noted at the end of the 1 km CTT. Results: On the treadmill, BRPE correlated very high with relative HR (%HR max ) (ρ = 0.88, p < 0.001) and V̇O 2 (%V̇O 2max ) (ρ = 0.89, p < 0.001). During the 1 km CTT, a small correlation between BRPE and %HR max (ρ = 0.24, p < 0.05), respectively %V̇O 2max was found (ρ = 0.24, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Criterion validity of BRPE during uphill walking depends on the environment and is higher during a treadmill test compared to a natural environment. Adding sensor-based, objective exercise-intensity parameters such as HR holds promise to improve intensity prescription and health safety during uphill walking in a natural environment.

Keywords: self-perception; modified Bruce protocol; cardiorespiratory fitness; exercise testing; prevention; hiking; natural environment; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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