The Borg RPE Scale® is a method for measuring “overall” perceived exertion, effort and fatigue in physical work. RPE (an acronym for Ratings of Perceived Exertion) is commonly determined in clinical diagnostics, therapy and rehabilitation, training of athletes and recreational sports, and in epidemiological evaluations of exercise intensity and daily physical activities.  

The “Borg CR Scales®” are general methods for measuring most kinds of perceptions and experiences, including pain and also perceived exertion (now often replacing the RPE scale, especially in clinical diagnostics). There are two CR-scales, the first and still most commonly used is the “Borg CR10 Scale®”. The second and more fine-graded one is “Borg CR100 Scale® (also called “centiMax scale”). These general scales can thus be used for “RPE” but also to measure taste and smell, loudness and noise, brightness and other sensations, but also moods and emotions (e.g. relaxation, satisfaction, discomfort and anxiety). Other kinds of applications concern the perception of difficulty of mental tasks, risk assessments, and problems in ergonomics and human factors, the “user interface”, the ease of identifying symbols and icons, navigating on the computer, and evaluating listening quality.  

Correct administration is important. Special folders have been developed that describe problems in psychophysical scaling and correct administration.  

The importance of good instructions cannot be underestimated for scientific as well as applied usage. A fine-graded semi-ratio scale must have anchors congruent in meaning with numbers. If an anchor “A” denotes something that is half as strong as another anchor “B”, the numeral relation must then be 1:2. The Borg CR-Scales® have the advantage that the same scale and general instructions can be used for most kinds of experiences. For specific problems in focus some additional instructions may then have to be added. The test leader has to get a good knowledge about this by getting the necessary information.