Bruce Treadmill Test Protocol PDF
Bruce Treadmill Test Protocol PDF
Bruce Treadmill Test Protocol PDF
The Bruce treadmill test protocol was designed in 1963 by Robert. A. Bruce, MD, as noninvasive test to assess patients with suspected heart disease. In a clinical setting, the Bruce
treadmill test is sometimes called a stress test or exercise tolerance test.
Today, the Bruce Protocol is also one common method for estimating VO2 max in athletes.
VO2 max, or maximal oxygen uptake, is one factor that can determine an athlete's capacity
to perform sustained exercise and is linked to aerobic endurance. VO2 max refers to the
maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during intense or maximal
exercise. It is measured as "milliliters of oxygen used in one minute per kilogram of body
weight" (ml/kg/min).
The Bruce Treadmill Test is an indirect test that estimates VO2 max using a formula rather
than using direct measurements that require the collection and measurement of the volume
and oxygen concentration of inhaled and exhaled air. This determines how much oxygen the
athlete is using.
The Bruce Protocol
The Bruce Protocol is a maximal exercise test where the athlete works to complete
exhaustion as the treadmill speed and incline is increased every three minutes (See chart).
The length of time on the treadmill is the test score and can be used to estimate the VO2
max value. During the test, heart rate, blood pressure and ratings of perceived exertion are
often also collected.
Bruce Treadmill Test Stages
Stage
Stage
Stage
Stage
Stage
Stage
Stage
Stage
Stage
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
1.7
2.5
3.4
4.2
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
mph
mph
mph
mph
mph
mph
mph
mph
mph
at
at
at
at
at
at
at
at
at
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
20%
22%
24%
26%
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Very Poor
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Superior
13-19
<35.0
35.0-38.3
38.4-45.1
45.2-50.9
51.0-55.9
>55.9
20-29
<33.0
33.0-36.4
36.5-42.4
42.5-46.4
46.5-52.4
>52.4
30-39
<31.5
31.5-35.4
35.5-40.9
41.0-44.9
45.0-49.4
>49.4
40-49
<30.2
30.2-33.5
33.6-38.9
39.0-43.7
43.8-48.0
>48.0
50-59
<26.1
26.1-30.9
31.0-35.7
35.8-40.9
41.0-45.3
>45.3
60+
<20.5
20.5-26.0
26.1-32.2
32.3-36.4
36.5-44.2
>44.2
Very Poor
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Superior
13-19
<25.0
25.0-30.9
31.0-34.9
35.0-38.9
39.0-41.9
>41.9
20-29
<23.6
23.6-28.9
29.0-32.9
33.0-36.9
37.0-41.0
>41.0
30-39
<22.8
22.8-26.9
27.0-31.4
31.5-35.6
35.7-40.0
>40.0
40-49
<21.0
21.0-24.4
24.5-28.9
29.0-32.8
32.9-36.9
>36.9
50-59
<20.2
20.2-22.7
22.8-26.9
27.0-31.4
31.5-35.7
>35.7
60+
<17.5
17.5-20.1
20.2-24.4
24.5-30.2
30.3-31.4
>31.4