In order to gain physical fitness and health, exercise must be performed at a sufficient level of intensity. Exercise intensity can be monitored with rated perceived exertion (RPE) scales to promote safe and effective programming. The usefulness of the Children's OMNI Scale as a subjective measure of intensity for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) was examined. Heart rate, workload, and RPE were monitored during a progressive walking protocol on a motorized treadmill in 18 adults with ID. Statistical analyses on individual data revealed that significant positive relationships among RPE, heart rate, and workload existed in most participants. However, results were highly variable. Results imply that some individuals with ID are able to provide a subjective estimate of exercise intensity while others may not be able to report accurately. The findings have significant practical implications for exercise programming in this population.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
American College of Sports MedicineGuidelines for exercise testing and prescriptionLippincott Williams & WilkinsBaltimore2000th ed.
2.
ArnholdR.NgN.PecharG.Relationship of rated perceived exertion to heart rate and workload in mentally retarded young adultsAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly947–531992
3.
BirkT. J.MossingM.Relationship of perceived exertion to heart rate and ventilation in active teenagers with cerebral palsyAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly5154–1641988
4.
BorgG.Borg's Perceived Exertion and Pain ScalesHuman KineticsChampaign, IL1998
5.
BorgG.Perceived exertion as an indicator of somatic stressScandinavian Journal of Rehabilitative Medicine292–981970
6.
DowningJ. H.KeatingT. M.Cardiovascular and perceptual responses to graded exercise in persons with developmental disabilities with and without verbal encouragementResearch Quarterly for Exercise and Sport71S2003
7.
DraheimC. C.MccubbinJ. A.WilliamsD. P.Differences in cardiovascular disease risk between non-diabetic adults with Down syndrome and mental retardationAmerican Journal on Mental Retardation107201–2112002
8.
DraheimC. C.WilliamsD. P.MccubbinJ. A.Prevalence of physical inactivity and recommended physical activity in community-based adults with mental retardationMental Retardation40436–4442002
9.
FernhallB.MccubbinJ. A.PitettiK. H.RinatalaP.RimmerJ. H.MillarA. L.Prediction of maximal heart rate in individuals with mental retardationMedicine and Science in Sports and Exercise331655–16602001
10.
FernhallB.PitettiK. H.Limitations to physical work capacity in individuals with mental retardationClinical Exercise Physiology3176–1852001
11.
FernhallB.TymesonG.Graded exercise testing of mentally retarded adults: A study of feasibilityArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation68363–3651987
12.
GrahamA.ReidG.Physical fitness of adults with an intellectual disabilityResearch Quarterly for Exercise and Sport71152–1612000
13.
HollandL. J.BouffardM.WagnerD.Rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, and oxygen consumption in adults with multiple sclerosisAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly964–731992
14.
JanickiM. P.DavidsonP. W.HendersonC. M.MccallionP.TaetsJ. D.ForceL. T.Health characteristics and health services utilization in older adults with intellectual disability living in community residencesJournal of Intellectual Disability Research46287–2982002
15.
LavayB.ReidG.Cressler-ChavizM.Measuring the cardiovascular endurance of persons with mental retardation: A critical reviewExercise and Sport Sciences Reviews18263–2901990
16.
PitettiK. H.RimmerJ. H.FernhallB.Physical fitness and adults with mental retardationSports Medicine1623–561993
17.
PitettiK. H.YarmerD. A.FernhallB.Cardiovascular fitness and body composition of youth with and without mental retardationAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly18217–141 2001
18.
RimmerJ. H.BraddockD.MarksB.Health characteristics and behaviors of adults with mental retardation residing in three living arrangements16489–4991995Research in Developmental Disability
19.
RobertsonR. J.GossF. L.BellJ. A.DixonC. B.GallagherK. I.LagallyK. M.Self-regulated cycling using the children's OMNI Scale of Perceived ExertionMedicine and Science in Sports and Exercise341168–11752002
20.
RobertsonR. J.GossF. L.BoerN. F.PeoplesJ. A.ForemanA. J.DabayebehI. M.Children's OMNI Scale of Perceived Exertion: Mixed gender and race evaluationMedicine and Science in Sports and Exercise32452–4582000
21.
ShigematsuR.UenoL. M.NakagaichiM.NhoH.TanakaK.Rate of perceived exertion as a tool to monitor cycling exercise intensity in older adultsJournal of Aging and Physical Activity123–92004
22.
StanishH. I.Accuracy of pedometers and walking activity in adults with intellectual disabilitiesAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly21167–1792004
23.
StanishH. I.DraheimC. C.Assessment of walking activity using a pedometer and survey in adults with mental retardationAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly22136–1452005
24.
StanishH. I.DraheimC. C.AndersonV. A.WalkleyC.J. W.Walking activity, body composition, and blood pressure in adults with intellectual disabilitiesJournal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability25327–3412000Physical activity levels of individuals living in a group home
25.
TempleV. A.WalkleyJ. W.Physical activity of adults with intellectual disability28323–3342003Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability
26.
TenenbaumG.FalkB.Bar OrO.The measurement and accumulation of perceived exertion in a progressive cycling maximal power test in children and adolescentsInternational Journal of Sport Psychology33337–3482002
27.
UtterA. C.RobertsonR. J.NiemanD. C.KangJ.Children's OMNI scale of perceived exertion: Walking/running evaluationMedicine and Science in Sports and Exercise34139–1442002
28.
WardD. S.Bar-OrO.LongmuirP.SmithK.Use of rating of perceived exertion (RPE) to prescribe exercise intensity for wheelchairbound children and adultsAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly794–1021995
