Irving, B. A., Rutkowski, J. J., Brock, D. W., Davis, C. K., Gaesser, G. A., & Weltman, A. (2005). Ratings of perceived exertion and the blood lactate response to exercise: Borg vs. OMNI. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 37(5), Supplement abstract 67.

Ss (M = 4; F = 7) completed an incremental treadmill test. Heart rate, VO2, blood lactate, and treadmill velocity were measured at the end of each 3-minute stage. RPE was assessed at 2:15 and 2:45 of each stage.

Both the Borg and OMNI Scales demonstrated predictive validity for the blood lactate response but the Borg Scale was superior for discriminating the response.

Implication. For exercise, the Borg Scale is better than the OMNI, particularly when blood lactate increases.

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