Rating of perceived exertion as a tool for managing exercise intensity during pregnancy: a scoping review.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Scoping review summarizing small observational/cross-sectional correlation studies
PubMed 39414299 · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086682
What was done
This scoping review searched PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus through November 2023 for English and Scandinavian studies examining the correlation between the 6–20 Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale and maternal heart rate (MHR) during exercise in pregnant individuals. Two reviewers screened studies, qualitatively summarized findings, and assessed risk of bias and certainty of evidence using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and GRADE.
What was found
Six studies comprising 260 healthy pregnant individuals (gestational weeks 16 to 38) were identified, covering cycling, walking, running, and resistance exercise at light to moderate intensities. Three studies supported the use of the Borg RPE scale to estimate exercise intensity during pregnancy, whereas three studies found no correlation between RPE and MHR. GRADE certainty was rated as low to moderate.
Why it matters
Guidelines often recommend RPE scales to guide exercise intensity during pregnancy, but these split findings indicate that perceived exertion alone may not reliably reflect cardiovascular load, suggesting combined monitoring with heart rate may be more appropriate.
Limits
The review included only 6 small studies (260 healthy pregnant participants total) across heterogeneous exercise modalities. The underlying evidence base carried potential risk of bias from small sample sizes, incomplete outcome data, and inconsistent results across studies.
Cited by
- supports The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale uses a range of 6 to 20 because multiplying the rating by 10 was designed to approximate the exerciser's heart rate in beats per minute.