What is an appropriate level of exertion labeled as 'somewhat hard' on the Borg Scale?

The Borg Scale, also known as the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), is a tool used to help individuals gauge the intensity of their exercise based on their perception of effort. On this scale, "somewhat hard" is generally associated with a rating of 11. At this perceived exertion level, individuals typically feel that the activity is challenging, but it is manageable. They can still continue the activity, although they are aware of the effort required.

A rating of 11 suggests a level of exertion where the person recognizes that the activity requires some significant effort but not to the extent that it feels excessively difficult. This awareness is valuable in exercise programming, as it helps individuals monitor their intensity and adjust their workouts accordingly based on their capability and goals.

The other choices represent different levels of exertion; for instance, a rating of 9 is considered "fairly light," while a 15 or 17 would signify "hard" and "very hard" exertion, respectively, which are beyond a "somewhat hard" effort. Therefore, selecting 11 accurately reflects the intended level of exertion described in the question.