Is rating of perceived exertion a valid method for monitoring exergaming intensity in type-1 diabetics? A cross-sectional randomized trial

de Brito Gomes, Jorge Luiz; Soltani, Pooya; Rodrigues Barbosa, Rhennan; Adevalton Feitosa Gomes, José; da Cunha Costa, Manoel

Abstract

Aims: The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) provides correlations with physiological measurements of exercise intensity, including metabolic equivalent (MET), oxygen consumption (V̇O2), and heart rate (HR), in real (RS) and virtual (VS) sessions. To use RPE in patients with pathology, we aimed to examine the concurrent validity of RPE in type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients while exergaming.

Methods: Ten T1DM patients performed two 30-min crossover sessions of moderate-intensity exercise (washout 72-196 h). The RS group performed running, and the VS group played the Kinect Adventures! video game. METs were measured by a direct gas analyzer during the sessions, and RPE was measured on the 6 - 20 point Borg scale after the sessions.

Results: RS and VS showed similar RPE (13.2 ± 2.7 vs. 14.2 ± 2.4) and MET (4.6 ± 1.1 vs. 4.0 ± 0.8) values (p > 0.05). RPE vs. MET correlation-coefficients were large in RS (r = 0.64; R2 = 41; p = 0.04) and were moderate in VS (r = 0.42; R2 = 18; p = 0.22). Additionally, RS secondary values (V̇O2 and HR vs. RPE) showed high coefficients (V̇O2-r = 0.62; average HRr = 0.62; maximal HRr = 0.50, p < 0.05). VS secondary values, on the other hand, showed low-moderate coefficients (V̇O2-r = 0.42; average HRr = 0.23; maximal HRr = 0.21, p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The current validation showed that RPE may not be a valid and strong method for T1DM patients while exergaming. Healthcare professionals should cautiously use the 6 – 20 point RPE scale in pathological patients, specifically in T1DM while exergaming.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 9, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Aug 23, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-10
• Deposit Date: Mar 18, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 19, 2025
• Journal: Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
• Print ISSN: 1360-8592
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Pages: 432-437
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.05.018
• Keywords: Perception, Metabolic equivalent, Diabetes mellitus, Exercise, Video games, Blood glucose