GE Healthcare

Fast Facts for Exercise Testing

Exercise Testing Protocols
Functional Clinical Bicycle Treadmill Protocols
Class Status Ergometer
Modified M Bruce M Balke-Ware M Naughton M USAFSAM M “Slow” M Cornell M
Bruce E E E E E USAFSAM E E
3-min Stages T 3-min Stages T 3-min Stages T 2-min Stages T T T 2-min Stages T
mph %GR
S mph %GR
S mph %GR S mph %GR S mph %GR S mph %GR S mph %GR
S
1 WATT =
6 KPDS 6.0 22 23.8 6.0 22 23.8

5.5 20 20.4 5.5 20 20.4

5.5 19 19.6
Healthy, Dependent on Age, Activity

Normal for 70 KG
Body
and Weight
KPDS 5.0 18 17.2 5.0 18 17.2 5.0 18 17.2

I 1500
3.3 26 15.4 4.6 17 15.3
25 14.9 3.3 25 14.9
24 14.4
23 14.0
4.2 16 13.5 4.2 16 13.5 22 13.5 4.2 16 13.5
21 13.1
1350 20 12.6 3.3 20 12.6
19 12.2
18 11.7 3.8 15 11.8
1200 17 11.3
16 10.8
3.4 14 10.2 3.4 14 10.2 15 10.3
3.3 15 3.4 14 10.2
Sedentary Healthy

10.3
1050 14 9.9
13 9.4 2 25 9.4
12 9.0 3.0 13 8.7
900 11 8.5
2 21.0 8.3
10 8.1 3.3 10 8.1 2 20 8.0
9 7.6
750 2.5 12 2.5 12 8 7.2 2 17.5 7.4
7.0 7.0
7 6.7 2 15 6.7 2.5 12 7.0

II 600
6 6.3 2 14.0 6.4
3.3 5 2.1 11 5.8
Limited

5 5.8 5.8
2 10.5 5.4
Symptomatic

4 5.3 2 10 5.3
3 4.9
450 1.7 10 4.6 1.7 10 4.6 2 4.4 2 7.0 4.5 1.7 10 4.6
3.3 2 5
III
1 4.0 3.9
1.7 5 3.5 at all
grades 2 3.5 3.5 3.3 0 3.5 1.7 5 3.5
300
1.7 0 2.3 2 0 2.5 2.0 0 2.5 2 0 2.5
1.7 0 2.3
150 1 0 1.8
IV
Aerobic cost of exercise protocols. This figure shows the predicted aerobic cost of the stages of many of the currently used treadmill protocols. Total exercise time is not as important a value as is
the estimated oxygen consumption value of the protocol stage or workload reached. mph = miles per hour, %GR = percent grade, KPDS = kiloponds, METS = metabolic equivalents

Rate of Perceived Exertion Electrode Troubleshooting

20 I II III Electrode to Check
Artifact Artifact Artifact Check RA Lead
19 Very, Very Hard is Present
Artifact
is Present
Artifact
Free
Artifact
for Problems
Check LL Lead
Free is Present is Present for Problems
18 Artifact
is Present
Artifact
Free
Artifact
is Present
Check LA Lead
for Problems

17 Very Hard Precordial Leads if Artifact is

Present in Lead V1 through V6
Check the Appropriate
V Lead for Problems

16 Modified Mason-Likar Electrode Placement

15 Hard AHA Label
V1 (red)
IEC Label
C1 (red)
Electrode Location
Fourth intercostal space at the
right sternal border.
V2 (yellow) C2 (yellow) Fourth intercostal space at the

14
left sternal border.
V3 (green) C3 (green) Midway between locations V2
and V4 (C2 & C4).
V4 (blue) C4 (brown) Mid-clavicular line in the fifth

13 Somewhat Hard
intercostal space.
V5 (orange) C5 (black) Anterior axillary line on the same
horizontal level as V4 (C4).
V6 (purple) C6 (purple) Mid-axillary line on the same
horizontal level as V4 and V5

12
(C4 & C5).
LA (black) L (yellow) Just below the clavicle of the
left arm.
RA (white) R (red) Just below the clavicle of the
right arm.

11 Fairly Light LL (red)

RL (green)
F (green)
N (black)
Lower left abdominal quadrant.
Lower right abdominal quadrant.

10 Distance Traveled in Miles in Stages

9 Very Light
End of Stage
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 Bruce .08 .20 .32 .48 .69 .83 1.10

7 Very, Very Light

Modified
Bruce .08 .16 .28 .44 .65 .89 1.16

Naughton .03 .09 .12 .18 .24 .30 .36

6 Bruce & Modified Bruce are 3-Minute Stages. Naughton is 2-Minute Stages

This poster is part of a series of posters to assist healthcare professionals. The interpreter should memorize the essential
components and practice by applying them to clinical situations. There are many variables to consider in any clinical
situation including the patient’s signs and symptoms. It is not unusual to find different opinions; therefore, we believe that
interpretations should be left to experienced clinicians.
For consistency and clarity, we have referenced the following sources to complete this poster:
• “Exercise and the Heart — Clinical Concepts,” 2nd edition, Victor Froelicher, 1983, 1987, Yearbook Medical Publishers.
• “Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription,” American Sports Medicine Association (ACSM).

We hope this guide will compliment any text study and/or classroom instruction.
Part Number: DC-0177-11.06-EN-US — © GE Healthcare 2006