Skip to main content

Table 3 Exercise intensity categories

From: Protocol for the SEHNeCa randomised clinical trial assesing Supervised Exercise for Head and Neck Cancer patients

Zonea

%HRRb

RPEc

Training type

High intensity training

 > 85

 > 5.5

High intensity training. The patient nears exhaustion and is no longer in a steady state

M3

60–84

4.5–5.5

Moderate to intensive training. The patient has difficulties in talking and sweating increases

M2

40–59

3–4

Moderate intensity. The patient notices an increased respiratory rate

M1

20–39

1–2.5

Low to moderate intensity. The patient does not notice any increase in the respiratory rate

Low-intensity training

 < 20

 < 1

Low intensity. This involves daily activities requiring low levels of effort

  1. aThe intensity zones are based on the estimated maximum heart rate and applying specific intensity boundaries based on HRR (43,44)
  2. bHRR: heart rate reserve. Maximum heart rate—resting heart rate
  3. cRPE: rating of perceived exertion. Determined using the Borg scale from 0 to 10 (45)