Validity of a Wheelchair Perceived Exertion Scale (Wheel Scale) for Arm Ergometry Exercise in People with Spina Bifida

Abstract

This study assessed the concurrent and construct validity of the Borg 6–20 Scale and WHEEL Scale during arm ergometry exercise stress testing in (n = 24) adolescents and adults with spina bifida. Significant, moderate, positive correlations were observed between power output and relative heart rate and power output to relative VO₂peak. Further, a moderate, significant correlation between physiologic criterion variables and the rating of perceived exertion derived from the Borg Scale and the WHEEL Scale was found. Concurrent validity was supported by the following findings: (1) relative heart rate was significantly correlated with the Borg (Kendall's τ = .41) and WHEEL Scales (τ = .44), and relative VO₂ was significantly correlated with the Borg (τ = .46) and WHEEL Scales (τ = .47); (2) content validity was supported by the finding that the Borg and WHEEL Scales shared significant variance (τ = .70), demonstrating internal consistency. The WHEEL Scale shows strong potential for use in this cohort subsequent to further testing and validation.