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Bruce Protocol Stress Test

The Bruce Test is commonnly used treadmill exercise stress test. It was developed as a clinical test to evaluate patients with suspected coronary heart disease, though it can also be used to estimate cardiovascular fitness.

• aim: to evaluate cardiac function and fitness

• equipment required: treadmill, stopwatch, electrocardiograph

• description / procedure: Exercise is performed on a treadmill. The test starts 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.

• 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 fist 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

ref: ACSM's Health-Related Physical Fitness Assessment Manual

• VO2max calculator: Enter your total time on the Bruce Test in the box below and click calculate. The time in minutes should be expressed in minutes and fractions of a minute e.g. 9 minutes 15 seconds = 9.25 minutes.

• target population: Patients with suspected coronary heart disease, and athletes in sports in which aerobic endurance is a important component, such as distance runners.

• advantages: You can also get measurement of maximum heart rate by recording heart rate during the test, which can be used in training programs to set intensity.

• disadvantages: Relatively large time and costs required

• other comments: The original Bruce protocol was developed in 1963 by Dr. Robert. A. Bruce. Other similar exercise stress test protocols include Astrand, Naughton and Balke.

• caution: This test is a maximal test, which requires a reasonable level of fitness. If used recreational athletes or people with health problems, injuries or low fitness levels, please have medical assistance on hand.

Related Pages

• Stress Tests - a general description of exercise stress tests. See also the similar Balke Test.
• Profile of Robert Bruce - fitness testing pioneer and Bruce Test developer
• VO2max test and other tests of aerobic capacity.
• See heart rate measurement methods if heart rate measurement is also required
• Ratings of Perceived Exertion Scale if you want to quantify effort.

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