What does this research mean for the field?

Subjective exercise intensity prescription using the Borg RPE scale matches objective cardiopulmonary exercise testing anaerobic threshold wattages without inducing dangerous exertional hypertension during cardiac rehabilitation. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and validity of the Borg RPE scale for exercise intensity in cardiac rehabilitation, particularly regarding blood pressure control.

June 12, 2026European Journal of Preventive CardiologyOpen Access

validation of subjective exercise intensity prescription for stringent blood pressure control in cardiac rehabilitation: comparing the borg scale and anaerobic threshold with real-time blood pressure

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Patients requiring stringent blood pressure management during cardiac rehabilitation (n=55). Intervention: Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) based exercise intensity prescription vs. Anaerobic Threshold (AT) derived from Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPX). Primary outcome: Quantitative comparison of Watts between the RPE-based prescription and the AT-level from CPX (p=0.214).

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Key result

Subjective Borg RPE exercise prescription yields wattages with no difference from objective CPX-derived anaerobic thresholds.

P=0.214
n=55

Why the study?

When pre-rehabilitation cardiopulmonary exercise testing is unavailable, reliance on subjective Borg RPE raises concerns regarding sub-therapeutic intensity or exertional hypertension during stringent blood pressure control.

Does subjective exercise intensity prescription based on the Borg RPE scale safely achieve optimal anaerobic threshold wattage compared to objective CPX in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation?

Key Points

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and validity of the Borg RPE scale for exercise intensity in cardiac rehabilitation, particularly regarding blood pressure control.
Frequent automated blood pressure measurements were taken throughout exercise sessions.
Borg RPE scale-based exercise wattage was compared to anaerobic threshold wattage from cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
The cohort consisted of 55 patients with stringent blood pressure management needs during cardiac rehabilitation.
Real-time blood pressure monitoring indicated controlled levels during rehabilitation, with mean ceiling BP of 135.2±9.9 mmHg.
No significant difference was found between Borg RPE-based wattage and anaerobic threshold wattage (p = 0.214).
Results confirm the safety of using RPE to guide exercise intensity without significantly increasing hypertension risk.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=55)

Structured PICO

Does subjective exercise intensity prescription based on the Borg RPE scale safely achieve optimal anaerobic threshold wattage compared to objective CPX in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation?

Population

55 patients (29.1% female) requiring stringent blood pressure management during cardiac rehabilitation, including 18 post-mitral valve repair.

Exposure

Subjective exercise intensity prescription based on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale.

Comparator

Objective Anaerobic Threshold (AT) in Watts derived from pre-rehabilitation Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPX).

Outcome

Safety (exertional hypertension risk assessed by real-time BP monitoring) and therapeutic optimality (comparison of prescribed Watts with objective AT-level Watts).surrogate

Main Result

p-value: p=0.214

Subjective exercise intensity prescription using the Borg RPE scale is a safe and effective alternative to CPX for achieving optimal anaerobic threshold wattage in cardiac rehabilitation patients requiring stringent BP control.

Discussion

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Implication

RPE-guided exercise may be safe for BP control in cardiac rehab; hypothesis-generating and needs larger trials for confirmation.

Cite This Study

Sato et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Patients requiring stringent blood pressure management during cardiac rehabilitation (n=55). Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) based exercise intensity prescription vs. Anaerobic Threshold (AT) derived from Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPX) was evaluated on Quantitative comparison of Watts between the RPE-based prescription and the AT-level from CPX (p=0.214). Subjective exercise intensity prescription based on the Borg RPE scale yielded wattages with no significant difference from objective CPX-derived anaerobic threshold levels (P=0.214).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a2bd11d6550ea4541ffe8b3 https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwag249.111

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validation of subjective exercise intensity prescription for stringent blood pressure control in cardiac rehabilitation: comparing the borg scale and anaerobic threshold with real-time blood pressure

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

validation of subjective exercise intensity prescription for stringent blood pressure control in cardiac rehabilitation: comparing the borg scale and anaerobic threshold with real-time blood pressure

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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