What is the purpose of the Borg RPE scale?

• A. A device measuring oxygen uptake
• B. A subjective effort scale to gauge intensity; helps regulate training when HR data is unavailable.
• C. A heart rate monitor brand
• D. A speed measurement for tempo runs

Answer: (B)

Perceived exertion is the core idea here. The Borg RPE scale is a subjective measure of how hard you feel you’re working during exercise, based on your sensation of effort, breathlessness, and fatigue. It’s used to gauge intensity without relying on physiological sensors, which makes it especially helpful when heart-rate data isn’t available or reliable. The scale—often the 6–20 version or the simpler 0–10 version—lets you translate how hard you feel into a number, so you can pace and regulate training accordingly. If a workout calls for a certain RPE, you adjust your pace or effort to match that feels-forcing level, even without a heart-rate monitor. It isn’t a device or a speed measure; it’s your own sense of effort guiding training intensity.