Bruce Treadmill Test

Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which subsequent performance evaluations and decisions are made but in the analysis we need to bear in mind the factors that may influence the results.

Objective

To monitor the development of the athlete's general endurance (VO2 max).

Required Resources

To undertake this test you will require:

  • Treadmill where speed and grade of slope can be adjusted
  • Stop watch
  • Assistant

How to conduct the test

The athlete runs on a treadmill to exhaustion. At timed stages during the test the speed (km/hr) and grade of slope (%) of the treadmill are increased as detailed in the table below.

Stage Time (min) km/hr Slope
1 0 2.74 10%
2 3 4.02 12%
3 6 5.47 14%
4 9 6.76 16%
5 12 8.05 18%
6 15 8.85 20%
7 18 9.65 22%
8 21 10.46 24%
9 24 11.26 26%
10 27 12.07 28%

The treadmill is set up with the Stage 1 speed (2.74 km/hr) and grade of slope (10%) and the athlete commences the test.

At the appropriate times during the test, the speed and slope of the treadmill are adjusted.

Therefore after 3 minutes into the test the speed is adjusted to 4.02 km/hr and the slope to 12%, after 6 minutes into the test the speed is adjusted to 5.47 km/hr and the slope to 14%, and so on.

The assistant starts the stopwatch at the start of the test and stops it when the athlete is unable to continue - this ideally should be between 9 and 15 minutes.

Convert treadmill slope

Enter a value, select the parameter (degrees or percent) and then select the "Calculate" button.

Convert = =

Analysis

Analysis of the result is by comparing it with the results of previous tests. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement.

Active and sedentary men - Foster et al. 1984

From the total walk/run time an estimate of the athlete's VO2 max can be calculated as follows:

  • VO2 max=14.8 - (1.379 × T) + (0.451 × T²) - (0.012 × T³)

"T" is the total time of the test expressed in minutes and fractions of a minute e.g. 13 minutes 15 seconds=13.25 minutes

Active and sedentary women - Pollock et al. 1982

From the total walk/run time an estimate of the athlete's VO2 max can be calculated as follows:

  • VO2 max=4.38 × T - 3.9

"T" is the total time of the test expressed in minutes and fractions of a minute.

Performance Assessment

For an estimate of your VO2 max enter the duration of the run and then select the 'Calculate' button.

Time minutes seconds
     
Active and sedentary men mls/kg/min ±3.35 mls/kg/min
Active and sedentary women mls/kg/min ±2.7 mls/kg/min

For an analysis of your VO2 max score see the VO2 max page.

Target Group

This test is suitable for active and sedentary individuals but not for those where the test would be contraindicated.

101 Performance Evaluation Tests

Reliability

Test reliability refers to the degree to which a test is consistent and stable in measuring what it is intended to measure.

Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test.

Validity

Test validity refers to the degree to which the test actually measures what it claims to measure and the extent to which inferences, conclusions, and decisions made on the basis of test scores are appropriate and meaningful. This test provides a means to monitor the effect of training on the athlete's physical development. There are published VO2max tables and the correlation to actual VO2max is high. For an assessment of your Vo2 max see the VO2 max normative data tables.

Related Research Papers

  • BRUCE, R.A.: Multi-stage treadmill test of maximal and sub maximal exercise. In: AHA: Exercise Testing and Training of apparently Health Individuals: A handbook for physicians, New York 1972

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Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page: