Borg Scale: When Training Intensity Is Guided by Perception

Every athlete can learn to accurately perceive the intensity of their effort. Numerous studies have shown that the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion can be relied upon just as much as other measurement methods—such as heart rate or watts. One advantage is that if an athlete is tired or under stress, and thus the exercise feels genuinely harder that day, subjective perception will help keep the training intensity at the right level—something watts do not take into account.

During examinations at the Center for Sports Medicine, we very often encounter significant underestimation or overestimation of exercise intensity. Young athletes in particular often struggle with working with perceived exertion and have difficulty determining a pace they would be able to maintain during a race, for example. Incorporating the Borg Scale into training is one way to learn how to better manage perceived exertion.

In this episode of the podcast:

On the winners' podium, we reveal:

· Why should you incorporate the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion into your training?

· How to categorize training intensities based on perceived exertion?

· How to calculate the stress exerted on your body during training?

Also listen to our podcast about training intensities.

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