Is rating of perceived exertion a valid method for monitoring exergaming intensity in type-1 diabetics? A cross-sectional randomized trial

• Published in: Journal of bodywork and movement therapies Vol. 36; pp. 432 - 437
• Main Authors: Luiz de Brito Gomes, Jorge, Soltani, Pooya, Barbosa, Rhennan Rodrigues, Gomes, José Adevalton Feitosa, Costa, Manoel da Cunha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Blood glucose; Computer Science; Diabetes mellitus; Exercise; Human-Computer Interaction; Life Sciences; Metabolic equivalent; Perception; Video games; Blood glucose; Video games; Perception; Exercise; Metabolic equivalent; Diabetes mellitus; Blood Glucose; Metabolic Equivalent; Diabetes Mellitus; Video Games
• ISSN: 1360-8592; 1532-9283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.05.018

The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) provides correlations with physiological measurements of exercise intensity, including metabolic equivalent (MET), oxygen consumption (V˙O2), and heart rate (HR), in real (RS) and virtual (VS) sessions. To use RPE in patients with pathology, we aimed to examine the concurrent validity of RPE in type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients while exergaming.
Ten T1DM patients performed two 30-min crossover sessions of moderate-intensity exercise (washout 72-196 h). The RS group performed running, and the VS group played the Kinect Adventures! video game. METs were measured by a direct gas analyzer during the sessions, and RPE was measured on the 6 - 20 point Borg scale after the sessions.
RS and VS showed similar RPE (13.2 ± 2.7 vs. 14.2 ± 2.4) and MET (4.6 ± 1.1 vs. 4.0 ± 0.8) values (p > 0.05). RPE vs. MET correlation-coefficients were large in RS (r = 0.64; R2 = 41; p = 0.04) and were moderate in VS (r = 0.42; R2 = 18; p = 0.22). Additionally, RS secondary values (V˙O2 and HR vs. RPE) showed high coefficients (V˙O2-r = 0.62; average HRr = 0.62; maximal HRr = 0.50, p < 0.05). VS secondary values, on the other hand, showed low-moderate coefficients (V˙O2-r = 0.42; average HRr = 0.23; maximal HRr = 0.21, p > 0.05).
The current validation showed that RPE may not be a valid and strong method for T1DM patients while exergaming. Healthcare professionals should cautiously use the 6 – 20 point RPE scale in pathological patients, specifically in T1DM while exergaming.
•Exergames are the technology that plays a role in perceived exertion in Type-1 diabetic patients.•Perceived exertion should be studied in Exergames sessions in Type-1 diabetic patients.•The rates of perceived exertion should be used with caution in Exergame-therapy for Type-1 diabetic patients.•The 6 to 20 points of Borg scale presented a low-moderate correlation with physiological data in Type-1 diabetic patients.