On the last day of rehabilitation, the patient reports an RPE of 13 on the scale. Which statement BEST describes the current workload compared to the first day?

• A. The same workload that elicited a rating of 13 on the first day of cardiac rehab
• B. A lower workload than what elicited a rating of 13 on the first day of cardiac rehab
• C. A higher workload than what elicited a rating of 13 on the first day of cardiac rehab
• D. The same workload that elicited a rating of 6 on the first day of cardiac rehab

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that as conditioning improves during rehabilitation, you can handle more external workload while keeping your perceived effort the same. An RPE of 13 is considered somewhat hard. If the patient on the last day still reports 13, but they have been progressing, the actual external workload must be higher than the workload that previously produced a 13 on day one. In other words, to reach the same level of perceived exertion now, you must be doing more work than you did on the first day. This reflects improved fitness and appropriate, progressive loading.