Table 3.
Study for the relationship RPE and RT
| Author | Year | No. of Patients | Sex | Age | Type of Exercise | Load Intensity of Exercise | Repetitions and Sets | Type of RPE | Main Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allman, et al.(1) | 2003 | 6 young adults, 6 old adults | Men | Young adults: 25; Old adults: 84 | Elbow flexion | 60% of MVC | Duration of voluntary isometric contractions | CR-10 | RPE increased with muscle contraction time |
| An, et al.(2) | 2015 | 40 | Men and Women | 21 | Chest press, seated leg curls, leg raise, donkey calf raises, lat pulldown, and leg press. | 70% of 1RM | As many repetitions as possible/1 set | Borg 6-20 RPE scale | RPE increased with the number of repetitions and EMG activity |
| Aniceto, et al.(3) | 2015 | 10 | Men | 21.3 | Bench press, 45° leg press, seated row, leg curl, triceps pulley, leg extension, biceps curl, and adductor chair. | 60% of 1RM | 10 repetitions/3 sets | OMNI | RPE increased during circuit weight training and multiple-set sessions |
| Buckley, et al.(10) | 2011 | 40 | Men and Women | 19–38 | Elbow extension and knee extension. | 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100% of 1RM | 2 repetitions/1 set | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Buckley, et al.(10) | 2011 | 16 | Men and Women | 19–38 | Elbow extension and knee extension. | CR rating 1.5, 3, 5 | 12 repetitions/1 set | CR-10 | Subjects produced muscle force corresponding to levels of the RPE scale. The number of repetitions of exercise increased with RPE. |
| Champagne, et al.(13) | 2009 | 16 elderly and 20 young | Men | Young adults: 22.8; Old adults: 72.8 | Back extension. | Body weight only | Longest duration of isometric contraction as possible/1 set | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise duration |
| Colado, et al.(14) | 2014 | 20 | Men and Women | 22 | Lateral and front raises. | 15RM | 15 repetitions/1 set | OMNI | The RPE of the active muscle was greater than the RPE of the entire body during exercise |
| Colado, et al. (15) | 2012 | 20 | Men and Women | 21 | Front and lateral raises, | Low and high-intensity | 15 repetitions/1 set | OMNI | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Costa, et al.(16) | 2015 | 12 | Men | 24 | leg extension. | 50% of 1RM | As many repetitions as possible/3 sets | CR-10 | RPE increased with the number of sets |
| da Silva, et al.(17) | 2007 | 12 | Women | 62.6 | Bench press | 10RM | 10 repetitions/3 sets | OMNI | RPE increased with the number of sets |
| Day, et al.(18) | 2004 | 19 | Men and Women | 23.4 | Back squat, bench press, overhead press, biceps curl, and triceps. | 50, 70, and 90% of 1RM | 15 repetitions at 30% of 1RM, 10 repetitions at 50% of 1RM, 4–5 repetitions at 90% of 1RM (1 set each) | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Duncan, et al.(20) | 2006 | 20 | Men and Women | 22.2 | Leg extension | 30, 60, and 90% of 1RM | 1 repetition/1 set | OMNI | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Elsangedy, et al.(21) | 2016 | 12 | Men | 35.8 | Chest press, leg press, seated rows, knee extension, overhead press, biceps curl, and triceps pushdowns. | 55% of 1RM | 10 repetitions/3 sets | OMNI | The mean RPE for all exercises was 5–7 |
| Eston, et al.(22) | 2009 | 20 | Men and Women | 20.8 | Bilateral biceps curl and bilateral knee extension. | 20, 40, and 60% of 1RM | 1 repetition/1 set | Borg 6-20 RPE scale | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Farah, et al.(23) | 2012 | 19 | Men | 23.9 | Bench press, knee extension, seated row, knee curl, and front raise. | 50% of 1RM | 12, 9, and 6 repetitions/3 sets | OMNI | RPE increased with the number of sets |
| Focht, et al.(24) | 2007 | 19 | Women | 20.6 | Leg extension, chest press, torso-arm pull down, and overhead press. | 75% of 1RM or a self selected intensity level | 10 repetitions/3 sets | Borg 6-20 RPE scale | RPE increased with the number of sets. Self-selected intensity RPE was lower than that at 75% of 1RM. |
| Gearhart, et al.(27) | 2008 | 49 | Men and Women | 64 | Leg press, lat pulldown, chest press, leg extension, leg curl, arm extension, and arm curl. | RPE 4, 6, and 8 | 1 repetition/1 set | OMNI | Subjects produced muscle force corresponding to load at RPE 4, 6, and 8. Exercise intensity increased with RPE score. |
| Gearhart, et al.(25) | 2001 | 20 | Men and Women | 22.5 | Bench press, leg press, lat pulldown, triceps press, biceps curl, shoulder press, and calf raise. | 90% or 30% of 1RM | 5 repetitions/1 set at 90% of 1RM, 15 repetitions/1 set at 90% of 1RM | Borg 6-20 RPE scale | RPE at 30% of 1RM was lower than that at 90% of 1RM |
| Gearhart, et al.(26) | 2002 | 20 | Men and Women | 22.5 | Bench press, leg press, lat pulldown, triceps press, biceps curl, shoulder press, and calf raise. | 90% or 30% of 1RM | 5 repetitions/1 set at 90% of 1RM, 15 repetitions/1 set at 90% of 1RM | Borg 6-20 RPE scale | RPE at 30% of 1RM was lower than that at 90% of 1RM |
| Gomes, et al.(28) | 2015 | 14 | Men | 24 | Back squat | 60 and 90% of 1RM | 3 repetitions/1 set | CR-10 | RPE at 90% of 1RM was greater than that at 60% of 1RM |
| Heuser, et al.(31) | 2010 | 20 | Men and Women | 19 | Knee flexion | 50% of %MVC | Number of repetitions to the point of failure | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise duration |
| Hollander, et al.(33) | 2008 | 7 | Men | 25.7 | Lat pull, leg press, bench press, leg extension, military press, and leg curl. | 65% of 10RM | 10 repetitions/4 sets | OMNI | RPE increased with the number of sets |
| Hollander, et al.(32) | 2003 | 8 | Men | 18–30 | Bench press, leg extension, military press, and leg curl. | 80% of 1RM | 12 repetitions/4 sets | CR-10 | RPE increased with the number of sets |
| John, et al.(34) | 2009 | 15 young adults, 15 old adults | Men and Women | Young adults: 29.3; old adults: 70.8 | Elbow flexion | RPE 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 | Voluntary isometric contractions | CR-10 | Subjects produced isometric torque corresponding to the effort levels of the RPE scale. Isometric torque increased in relation to RPE |
| Lagally, et al.(36) | 2009 | 20 | Women | 21.3 | Chest press and knee extension. | 50, 69, and 88% of 1RM for chest press, and 56, 74, and 90% of 1RM for knee extension | 1 repetition/1 set | OMNI | RPE 3, 6, and 9 were related to 50, 69, and 88% of 1RM during chest press. RPE 3, 6, and 9 were related to 56, 74, and 90% of 1RM during knee extension. Subjects selection resistance load. |
| Lagally, et al.(40) | 2002 | 20 | Women | 25 | Biceps curl | 30, 60, and 90% of 1RM | 12 repetitions at 30% of 1RM, 6 repetitions at 60% of 1RM, 4 repetitions at 90% of 1RM (1 set each) | Borg 6-20 RPE scale | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Lagally, et al.(37) | 2004 | 30 | Men | 21 | Leg extension | 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of 1RM | 1 repetition/1 set | Borg 6-20 RPE scale | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Lagally, et al.(39) | 2006 | 40 | Men and Women | 22 | Knee extension | 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of 1RM | 1 repetition/1 set | OMNI, Borg 6-20 RPE scale | Both OMNI and Borg 6–20 scale increased with exercise intensity |
| Lagally, et al.(38) | 2004 | 28 | Women | 21.7 | Bench press | 60 and 80% of 1RM | 8 repetitions/1 set at 60% of 1RM, 15 repetitions/6 sets at 80% of 1RM | CR-10 | RPE at 60% of 1RM was lower than that at 80% of 1RM |
| Lagally, et al.(35) | 2007 | 38 | Men and Women | 22 | Knee extension | RPE 9, 13, and 17 | 1 repetition/1 set | Borg 6-20 RPE scale | Subjects produced muscle force corresponding to RPE. Exercise intensity during weightlifting increased with RPE. |
| Laur, et al.(41) | 2003 | 32 | Men and Women | 25.3 | Knee flexion | 60% of 1RM | As many repetitions as possible/1 set | CR-10 | RPE increased with the number of repetitions |
| Lazzarini, et al.(42) | 2016 | 20 | Men and Women | 74 | Chest press | 5–30% (in 5% increments) of 1RM from 110% of 1RM | 2 repetitions/1 set | Borg 6-20 RPE scale | RPE significantly predicted the %1RM of chest press |
| Li, et al.(43) | 2011 | 20 | Men | 22.1 | Grip force | RPE 2, 5, 7, and 10 | Voluntary isometric contractions | CR-10 | Subjects produced isometric grip force corresponding to RPE. RPE increased with grip force |
| Lins-Filho, et al. (44) | 2012 | 14 | Men | 22.9 | Bench press, bent-over row, front raises, arm curl, and overhead triceps extension. | 50 and 70% of 1RM | 12, 9, and 6 repetitions/3 sets | OMNI | RPE was higher at 70% of 1RM than that at 50% of 1RM. RPE increased with the number of sets |
| McGuigan, et al.(46) | 2004 | 17 | Men and WoMen | 21 | Squat and bench press. | 30 and 75% of 1RM | 10 repetitions at 75% of 1RM, 10 repetitions at 30% of 1RM | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Murphy, et al.(49) | 2014 | 10 children and 10 adults | Men | Children: 9.7; adults: 25.7 | Knee extension | > 80% of 1RM, 60% of 1RM | 7 repetitions at > 80% of 1RM/3 sets, 17 repetitions at 60% of 1RM/3 sets | Children’s Efforts Rating Table similar OMNI | RPE increased with the number of sets among both children and adults. Children had higher RPE scores than adults during resistance exercise. |
| Naclerio, et al.(50) | 2011 | 18 | Men | 22.1 | Bench press | 30–40, 40–50, 50–60, 60–70, 70–80, 80–90, and 90% of 1RM | 3 repetitions/2 sets | OMNI | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Pincivero, et al.(55) | 2003 | 30 | Men and Women | 24 | Knee extension | 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of 1RM | 2 repetitions/1 set | CR-10 | RPE increased with intensity. RPE was not significantly different between men and women |
| Pincivero, et al.(57) | 2001 | 30 | Men and Women | 26.5 | Knee extension | 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of %MVC | 3–5 repetitions/1 set | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Pincivero, et al.(56) | 2002 | 30 | Men and Women | 24 | Knee extension | RPE 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 | 5-s maximal voluntary isometric contractions | CR-10 | Subjects produced muscle contractions corresponding to RPE. %MVC increased with RPE |
| Pincivero, et al.(62) | 2010 | 27 | Men and Women | Young adults: 23.2; middle adults: 58.6 | Shoulder abduction | 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of MVC | 10-s voluntary isometric contractions | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Pincivero, et al.(59) | 2000 | 30 | Men and Women | 24 | Knee extension | 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of MVC | 5-s voluntary isometric contractions | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Pincivero, et al.(60) | 2000 | 17 | Men | 22.6 | Knee extension | 80% of MVC | Duration of voluntary isometric contractions | CR-10 | RPE increased with muscle contraction duration |
| Pincivero, et al.(52) | 2011 | 17 young adults, 15 old adults | Unknown | Young adults: 21.7; old adults: 75.5 | Knee extension | 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of %MVC | 6-s isometric contraction | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise intensity in both groups |
| Pincivero, et al.(52) | 2011 | 17 young adults, 15 old adults | Unknown | Young adults: 21.7; old adults: 75.5 | Knee extension | RPE 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 | 6-s isometric contraction | CR-10 | Subjects produced muscle contractions corresponding to the RPE scale. %MVC increased with RPE. |
| Pincivero, et al.(61) | 2010 | 30 | Men and WoMen | 23 | Elbow flexion | 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of %MVC | 5 repetitions/1 set | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Pincivero, et al.(54) | 2004 | 30 | Men and Women | 24 | Knee extension | 50% of 1RM | As many repetitions as possible/1 set | CR-10 | RPE increased with the number of repetitions |
| Robertson, et al.(66) | 2003 | 40 | Men and Women | 21 | Biceps curl and knee extension. | 65% of 1RM | 4, 8, and 12 repetitions/3 sets | OMNI | RPE increased with the number of repetitions |
| Robertson, et al.(65) | 2005 | 50 | Men and Women | 12 | Biceps curl and knee extension. | 50% of 1RM | 14, 10, and 6 repetitions/3 sets | OMNI | RPE increased with the number of sets |
| Robertson, et al.(64) | 2009 | 100 | Men and Women | 12.5 | Biceps curl and knee extension. | 30, 50, and 70% of 1RM | 10 repetitions/3 sets | OMNI | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Robertson, et al.(63) | 2008 | 70 | Men and Women | 11.9 | Biceps curl and knee extension. | 30 and 50% of 1RM | 10 repetitions/2 sets | OMNI | RPE increased with the number of sets |
| Row, et al.(67) | 2012 | 21 | Men and Women | 76.6 | Leg press | 34.9, 44, 52.1, 63, 73.9, 83.3, and 92.7% of 1RM | 4–5 repetitions/1 set | Borg 6-20 RPE scale | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Shaner, et al.(69) | 2014 | 25 | Men | 25 | Back squat and leg press. | 80% of 1RM | 10 repetitions/6 sets | CR-10 | RPE following exercise was significantly higher than baseline RPE |
| Shimano, et al.(70) | 2006 | 16 | Men | 25.5 | Back squat, bench press, and arm curl. | 60, 80, and 90% of 1RM | As many repetitions as possible/1 set at 60, 80, and 90% of 1RM | CR-10 | RPE at 60% of 1RM was higher than that at 80% and 90% of 1RM during back squat. RPE was not different between the other conditions |
| Singh, et al.(71) | 2007 | 15 | Men | 26.7 | Bench press, squats, bench pull, shoulder press, and leg extension. | 50, 70, and 90% of 1RM | 5 repetitions/3 sets at 50% of 1RM, 10 repetitions/3 sets at 70% of 1RM, 5 repetitions/3 sets at 90% of 1RM | CR-10 | RPE at 50% of 1RM was lower than that at 70% and 90% of 1RM. Session RPE decreased over time |
| Spreuwenberg, et al.(72) | 2006 | 9 | Men | 24 | Back squat | 85% of 1RM | As many repetitions as possible/4 sets | CR-10 | RPE increased with the number of sets |
| Sweet, et al.(74) | 2004 | 20 | Men and Women | 24 | Bench press, lat pulldown, leg press, biceps curl, and triceps extension. | 50, 70, and 90% of 1RM | 6 repetitions/2 sets at 50% of 1RM, 10 repetitions/2 sets at 70% of 1RM, 4 repetitions/2 sets at 90% of 1RM | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Testa, et al.(75) | 2012 | 80 | Men and Women | 22.1 | Bench press | 60–80% of 1RM or 80–100% of 1RM | 5.5–17.5 repetitions at 60–80% of 1RM or 1.3–2.9 repetitions at 80–100% of 1RM | CR-10 | RPE increased with the maximum number of repetitions at 60–80% of 1RM or 80–100% of 1RM |
| Tiggemann, et al.(76) | 2010 | 30 | Men | 24.6 | Bench press and leg press. | RPE 11, 13, 15, and 8 | 12 repetitions/3 sets | Borg 6-20 RPE scale | Subjects produced muscle force corresponding to RPE. Exercise intensity at %1RM of increased with RPE |
| Timmons, et al.(77) | 2009 | 12 | Men and Women | 23.8 | Shoulder abduction | 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of MVC | 10-s voluntary isometric contractions | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
| Vianna, et al.(79) | 2011 | 17 | Men | 26.6 | Bench press, half squat, lat pull down, and triceps extension. | 12, 16, 20, and 24% of 2RM | 1 repetition/1 set | OMNI | RPE increased with exercise intensity. RPE was related to energy cost during exercise |
| Woods, et al.(80) | 2004 | 30 | Men and Women | 24.6 | Knee extension | 70% of 10RM | 10 repetitions/3 sets | CR-10 | RPE increased with the number of repetitions and sets |
| Zourdos, et al.(81) | 2016 | 21 | Men and Women | 24 | Back squat | 30, 60, 90, and 100% of 1RM | 1 repetition/1 set | CR-10 | RPE increased with exercise intensity |
Abbreviations: No.= Number, RPE = Rating of perceived exertion; MVC = maximum voluntary contraction; CR = category ratio; RM = repetition maximum; EMG = electromyography