BRUCE TREADMILL TEST PROTOCOL

 

                                            BRUCE TREADMILL TEST PROTOCOL

The Bruce protocol is a treadmill test that's used to evaluate cardiac function and physical fitness. It's a standard cardiology test that involves walking on an uphill treadmill while the speed and incline increase every three minutes. The test is named after American cardiologist Robert A. Bruce, who is known as the "Father of Exercise Cardiology".

 

The Bruce protocol is a standardized diagnostic test used in the evaluation of cardiac function and physical fitness, developed by American cardiologist Robert A. Bruce. According to the original Bruce protocol the patient walks on an uphill treadmill in a graded exercise test with electrodes on the chest to monitor

The Bruce protocol for the treadmill test was first published in 1963. However, cardiologist Robert A. Bruce began researching treadmill exercise tests in 1949

Aim: To evaluate cardiac function and fitness.

 Equipment Required: Treadmill, Stopwatch, A 12-Lead Electrocardiograph (ECG) Machine and Leads, Sticking Tape, Clips.

Pre-Test:

Explain the test procedures to the subject. Perform screening of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare forms and record basic information such as age, height, body weight, gender, test conditions. Perform an appropriate warm-up. Attach ECG leads if required. See more details of pre-test procedures.

Procedure:

Exercise is performed on a treadmill. If required, the leads of the ECG are placed on the chest wall. The treadmill is started at 2.74 km/hr. (1.7 mph) and at a gradient (or incline) of 10%. At three-minute intervals the incline of the treadmill increases by 2%, and the speed increases as shown in the table below. The test should be stopped when the subject cannot continue due to fatigue or pain, or due to many other medical indications.

Modifications:

There is a commonly used Modified Bruce protocol, which starts at a lower workload than the standard test and is typically used for elderly or sedentary patients. The first two stages of the Modified Bruce Test are performed at a 1.7 mph and 0% grade and 1.7 mph and 5% grade, and the third stage corresponds to the first stage of the Standard Bruce Test protocol as listed above.

Results:

The test score is the time taken on the test, in minutes. This can also be converted to an estimated VO2max score using the calculator below and the following formulas, where the value “T” is the total time completed (expressed in minutes and fractions of a minute e.g. 9 minutes 15 seconds = 9.25 minutes). As with many exercise test equations, there have been many regression equations developed that may give varying results. If possible, use the one derived from a similar population and which best suits your needs.

VO2max (ml/kg/min) = 14.76 - (1.379 × T) + (0.451 × T²) - (0.012 × T³) (this formula is the one used for the calculator below)

Women: VO2max (ml/kg/min) = 2.94 x T + 3.74         

Women: VO2max (ml/kg/min) = 4.38 × T - 3.9            

Men: VO2max (ml/kg/min) = 2.94 x T + 7.65

Young Men: VO2max (ml/kg/min) = 3.62 x T + 3.91