Bruce protocol for treadmill test

Bruce protocol for treadmill test

Bruce protocol for treadmill exercise test has seven stages, each lasting three minutes. First stage starts at a speed of 1.7 miles per hour (mph) and a gradient of 10%. Ten percent gradient means that the front end of the treadmill will be at a height equal to ten percent of the length of the treadmill compared to the back end. For example, if the treadmill length is one meter, the front end will be at a height of 10 centimeters more than the back end. Each subsequent stage has an increment of 0.7 to 0.8 mph in speed and 2% in gradient. As you go up the stages, there is a progressive increase in the work load to the heart due to exercise. Three minute stages have been programmed for the cardiovascular system to stabilise at each work level in the various stages to get a steady state for measurements.