Despite the fact we know the benefits of exercise, we often wonder if what we do is enough for us. According to Roger Eston at the University of Exerter, however, we all hold the secret to getting fit. In a series of studies conducted over the last two years, Eston and coworkers have shown a consistently close correlation between actual and perceived exertion in people of all levels of fitness. The team has found that an individual’s own sense of how hard he or she is working corresponds exactly with actual level of exertion, measured by heart-rate and oxygen uptake. The experiments involved people being asked to exercise at various levels of intensity on a scale of six to 20, with six being completely inactive and 20 being on the verge of exhaustion. The amount of exertion was determined purely by the individual, who made a judgment on how hard to work based on his or her interpretation of the scale. The researchers simultaneously monitored the person’s heart-rate and oxygen uptake, which are the most widely-used measures of physical exertion. In almost all cases the results matched exactly the levels that would be predicted for each specific number on the six to 20 scale. This demonstrates our ability to judge precisely how hard our bodies are working.

VALUE OF STUDY TO READER: The research could lead to a more personalized approach to exercise, particularly for those with a chronic illness. Some may find that the level of exercise recommended for them may not be enough; others may find that what they are asked to do is too much for them. Being able to judge precisely how hard our bodies are working could be a benefit to each of us.