Prediction of peak oxygen uptake in children using submaximal ratings of perceived exertion during treadmill exercise

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed the utility of the Children’s Effort Rating Table (CERT) and the Eston-Parfitt (EP) Scale in estimating peak oxygen uptake (V• O_2peak) in children, during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on a treadmill.
Methods: Fifty healthy children (n=21 boys; 9.4 ± 0.9 y) completed a continuous, incremental protocol until the attainment of V• O_2peak. Oxygen uptake (V• O₂) was measured continuously, and Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were estimated at the end of each exercise stage using the CERT and the EP Scale. Ratings up to- and including RPE 5 and 7, from both the CERT (CERT 5, CERT 7) and EP Scale (EP 5, EP 7), were linearly regressed against the corresponding V• O₂, to both maximal RPE (CERT 10, EP 10) and terminal RPE (CERT 9, EP 9).
Results: There were no differences between measured- and predicted V• O_2peak from CERT 5, CERT 7, EP 5 and EP 7 when extrapolated to either CERT 9 or EP 9 (P > .05). Pearson’s correlations of r = 0.64-0.86 were observed between measured- and predicted V• O_2peak, for all perceptual ranges investigated. However, only EP 7 provided a small difference when considering the Standard Error of Estimate, suggesting that the prediction of V• O_2peak from EP 7 would be within 10% of measured V• O_2peak.
Conclusions: Although robust estimates of V• O_2peak may be elicited using both the CERT and EP Scale during a single CPET with children, the most accurate estimates of V• O_2peak occur when extrapolating from EP 7.

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ORCID for Danielle Lambrick: orcid.org/0000-0002-0325-6015

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