RPE
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Rate of perceived exertion |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Sports, Medical |
RPE has two meanings. It stands for Rate of perceived exertion (fitness and exercise) or Rating of perceived exertion (rehabilitation).
Meanings of RPE at a glance
| # | RPE stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rate of perceived exertion | Sports › Fitness and Exercise |
| 2 | Rating of perceived exertion | Medical › Rehabilitation |
1. Rate of perceived exertion
Sports · Fitness and Exercise Abbreviations
Subjective scale for how hard an effort feels. Endurance coaches use 1 to 10 or the original 6-to-20 Borg scale, while strength coaches use RPE 10 for a set taken to failure.
Example: Squat: three sets of five at RPE 8, leaving about two reps in the tank.
Swedish psychologist Gunnar Borg developed the original scale, designed so that a rating times ten roughly matches heart rate. In powerlifting, RPE is tied directly to reps in reserve: RPE 8 means two more reps were possible. Also written "rating of perceived exertion".
2. Rating of perceived exertion
Medical · Rehabilitation Abbreviations
Scale on which people rate how hard exercise feels. The Borg 6 to 20 scale was designed so that a rating multiplied by 10 roughly matches heart rate in healthy young adults; a 0 to 10 version also exists.
Example: Treadmill 2.0 mph, RPE 13 (somewhat hard), HR 108.
Created by Swedish psychologist Gunnar Borg. RPE is useful for patients on beta-blockers, whose heart rates do not rise normally with effort. Cardiac rehabilitation commonly targets ratings of about 11 to 14.
Related abbreviations
More fitness and exercise abbreviations
- RDL – Romanian deadlift
- RHR – Resting heart rate
- RIR – Reps in reserve
- ROM – Range of motion
- TDEE – Total daily energy expenditure
- TUT – Time under tension
- VO2 max – Maximal oxygen uptake
- WOD – Workout of the day
See all 35 fitness and exercise abbreviations →
More rehabilitation abbreviations
- PWB – Partial weight bearing
- QC – Quad cane
- RICE – Rest, ice, compression, elevation
- RTS – Raised toilet seat
- RW – Rolling walker
- SAQ – Short arc quad
- SAR – Subacute rehabilitation
- SBA – Stand-by assist
See all 98 rehabilitation abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.