The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale

The study of human performance and perceived exertion during physical activity has been an area of considerable scientific interest and research over the last 50 years. The symptom of exertion is unique to an individual and can be used as a subjective estimate of the work intensity undertaken across a variety of populations. The intensity of work is important because of the risks of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders arising from a mismatch between the worker’s capability and the physical demands of their job. The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, developed by Swedish researcher Gunnar Borg [1], is a tool for measuring an individual’s effort and exertion, breathlessness and fatigue during physical work and so is highly relevant for occupational health and safety practice. In its simplest terms, it provides a measure of how hard it feels that the body is working based on the phys ical sensations that the subject experiences, including increased heart rate, increased respiration or breathing rate, increased sweating and muscle fatigue [2].