Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (Borg RPE)

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

The Borg RPE scale ranges from 6-20 and can be used to estimate current HR: Equation 1

\[ \textrm{Estimated Current HR} = \textrm{Borg RPE} \times 10 \tag{1}\]

Table 1: Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale

Number	Level	Estimated HR
6	No exertion	60
7		70
7.5	Extremely light	75
8		80
9	Very Light	90
10		100
11	Light	110
12		120
13	Somewhat Hard / Somewhat Light	130
14		140
15	Hard	150
16		160
17	Very Hard	170
18		180
19	Extremely Hard	190
20	Maximal Exertion	200