Prescribing and Self-Regulating Heated Water-Based Exercise by Rating of Perceived Exertion in Older Individuals With Hypertension

We aimed to analyze the usefulness of the 6-20 rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale for prescribing and self-regulating high-intensity interval (HIIE) and moderate-intensity continuous (MICE) aerobic exercise performed in a heated swimming pool (32 degrees C). Fifteen older individuals (65 +/- 3 years) treated for hypertension underwent a symptom-limited maximal graded exercise test to determine their heart rate at anaerobic threshold, and respiratory compensation point. On different days, participants were randomized to HIIE (walking/jogging between 11 and 17 of RPE; 25 min) and MICE (walking at 11-13 of RPE; 30 min). Heart rate during the low-intensity intervals of HIIE and MICE remained below the graded exercise test's heart rate at anaerobic threshold (-7 +/- 18 bpm/-16 +/- 15 bpm) and respiratory compensation point (-18 +/- 18 bpm/-30 +/- 16 bpm), respectively, and maintained in the aerobic training zone during the high-intensity intervals of HIIE (+8 +/- 18 bpm/-4 +/- 19 bpm). The RPE scale at 15-17 is a useful tool for prescribing and self-regulating heated water-based HIIE and may have important implications for water-based exercise in older individuals with hypertension.

Automated summary

The usefulness of the 6-20 rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale for prescribing and self-regulating high-intensity interval (HIIE) and moderate-intensity continuous (MICE) aerobic exercise in a heated swimming pool was analyzed. The study found that using the RPE scale at 15-17 is an effective tool for prescribing and self-regulating heated water-based HIIE, which is important for water-based exercise in older individuals with hypertension.