Nesser, T. W., Gaskill, S. E., Skemp, K. M., & Walker, A. J. (1998). Variance in the reproducibility of the Borg RPE during exercise tests with cross country skiers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 185.

It was found that Borg Scale RPE assessments are more reliable above reported intensities of 11. This is confirmed by other studies that suggest if lactate starts to accumulate RPE measures are even more reliable.

Implication. RPE measures are likely to be more reliable when assessments exceed 11.

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