1. What is the Bruce Treadmill Stress Test?

The Bruce protocol is a standardized treadmill test used to assess cardiovascular health and exercise capacity. It consists of progressive stages of increasing speed and incline every 3 minutes while monitoring ECG and symptoms.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Bruce protocol equation:

Where:

• \( T \) — Total exercise time in minutes
• \( METs \) — Metabolic equivalents (1 MET = resting oxygen consumption)

Explanation: The equation estimates exercise capacity based on time achieved in the Bruce protocol, with higher METs indicating better cardiovascular fitness.

3. Importance of METs Calculation

Details: METs provide an objective measure of functional capacity, help diagnose cardiovascular disease, assess prognosis, and guide exercise prescription.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total exercise time achieved during the Bruce protocol test in minutes. The time should be the exact duration until test termination.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are normal METs values?
A: Healthy adults typically achieve 8-12 METs. Values below 5 METs indicate poor functional capacity, while elite athletes may exceed 16 METs.

Q2: How does the Bruce protocol progress?
A: The test starts at 1.7 mph and 10% grade, increasing every 3 minutes to higher speeds and inclines up to 5.5 mph and 20% grade.

Q3: What are indications for stopping the test?
A: Test should stop for chest pain, significant ECG changes, severe shortness of breath, dizziness, or achieving target heart rate.

Q4: Are there limitations to this equation?
A: The equation is less accurate for very short (<3 min) or very long (>20 min) test durations and doesn't account for individual variations in body composition.

Q5: Can this be used for home exercise assessment?
A: No, the Bruce protocol should only be performed under medical supervision due to cardiac risk.