Relationship between the Borg Scale and Changes in Systolic Blood Pressure and the Double Product after Repeated Standing Exercise Performed by Outpatients Attending Rehabilitation

Abstract

[Purpose] We analyzed the relationships between the Borg scale and the systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 60% of the maximum heart rate (HRmax) and 70%HRmax, and the double product (DP) among elderly persons attending outpatient rehabilitation. [Subjects] The subjects were 14 elderly persons (5 men, 9 women; average age, 83.6 ± 4.5 years; median care insurance level, 2.5) attending outpatient rehabilitation. [Method] After 5 minutes sitting quietly at rest, the subjects performed repeated standing exercise till 60%HRmax and 70%HRmax were reached. The measurement indices were: heart rate (HR), SBP and DP. [Results] At 60%HRmax significant correlations between the Borg scale and SBP, DP and HR were found. At 70%HRmax significant correlations between the Borg scale and SBP and DP were found, but not HR. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the double product is also a useful index at high exercise loads in repeated standing exercise.