02027nas a2200181   4500000000100000008004100001100001500042700001500057700001800072700001400090700001600104245012500120250001500245300001100260490000700271520152600278020004101804       2010                            d1 aVerbunt J.1 aWinkens B.1 aKnottnerus J.1 aSmeets R.1 aDemoulin C.00aUsefulness of perceived level of exertion in patients with chronic low back pain attending a physical training programme  a2009/12/17  a216-220 v323 a<p>
PURPOSE: Firstly, to examine whether heart rate (HR) can be predicted based on the Borg-scale for perceived exertion in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and secondly, to assess changes in HR, Borg-scores and workload to study the relevance of a stepwise increase of workload based on the Borg-score and HR. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients with CLBP and a mean disability-score (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire) of 13.8 (SD = 3.7) participated in a 10-week aerobic training programme (20 min, 3 times/week). HR, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and workload were monitored. Prior to treatment, patients completed questionnaires on pain, disability, and several psychological factors (catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, and depression). RESULTS: The original Borg-equation (i.e. 'HR = Borg x 10') appears accurate in predicting HR on a group-level. Pain-related and psychological factors were not significantly related to the accuracy of the Borg equation. Whereas mean workload increased significantly (from 93.8 (SD = 29.9) to 129.5 W (SD = 39.7), p &lt; 0.001) throughout the training programme, HR increased only slightly (from 130.2 (SD = 13.5) to 139.2 (SD = 13.9) bpm; p &lt; 0.001) and Borg-scores remained stable (from 13.2 (SD = 1.9) to 13.3 (SD = 1.8); p = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: The capability of the Borg-scale to accurately predict HR appears moderate. However combined with measuring HR, it results in a relevant and efficient method for training CLBP patients in clinical practice.
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