Peoples, J. A., Robertson, R. J., Thompson, P. D., Millich, N. B., Goss, F. L., & Moyna, N. M. (1997). Cross-modal comparison of percent peak oxygen uptake at fixed levels of perceived exertion. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 29(5), Supplement abstract 1223

%VO2peak was measured in men (N = 10) and women (N = 10) during treadmill, stair stepping, and cycle ergometer exercise at three fixed ratings of perceived exertion (11, 13, 15 on Borg's 15-point scale).

For each mode of exercise, Ss performed a maximal test to anchor the RPE scale. RPEs were then estimated during each stage of a mode specific exercise test.

• At a given RPE, %VO2peak was significantly higher for treadmill running than cycling and stair-stepping exercise was higher than cycling.
• At RPEs of 11 and 13, %VO2peak was significantly higher in treadmill running than stair-stepping exercise.
• At RPEs of 15 there was no significant difference in %VO2peak between treadmill running and stair-stepping exercise.
• There were no gender differences for %VO2peak attained at a fixed RPE in any exercise modality.

Implication. It is only appropriate to compare RPEs within the same exercise.

RPEs can be used intramodally but should not be applied cross modally, that is, a 15 rating can be determined to be higher than a 13 rating in treadmill running, but that 15 rating is not equivalent to a 15 rating in cycling.

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