Bruce Protocol Testing Simplified with VO2 Master

The Bruce protocol is a widely respected graded exercise test designed to assess cardiovascular performance on a treadmill. 

Created by cardiologist Robert Bruce in the 1960s, this test gradually increases both speed and incline, making it a versatile tool for fitness centers, wellness programs, and government organizations.

The Bruce protocol offers a lower-impact alternative to traditional flat-surface running, making it especially beneficial for individuals with joint or muscular concerns. 

It’s a good choice for anyone seeking a thorough yet accessible fitness assessment.

And now, a pre-programmed Bruce Protocol is available within the VO2 Master Manager App.

In our latest demo video, strength and conditioning coach Jack Hanrahan explains how to use it.

Step 1: Equipment and Set Up for the Bruce Protocol

To conduct the Bruce Protocol, you will need to have access to a treadmill with sufficient incline–this is ideally 20% or more. 

If you are limited to a treadmill with a 15% incline, you can still perform the first three stages of the test. For many people, this will be sufficient. 

Step 2: Accessing the Bruce Protocol in the VO2 Master Manager App

Set up your athlete profile set up from the record tab. 

The Bruce Protocol is pre-populated with the values and displays the manual speed and adjustments. 

Set the units on your treadmill to miles per hour because this is the Bruce protocol standard. 

Step 3: Warming Up for the Bruce Protocol

Conduct a five-minute warm-up at 1.7 mph and 0% incline. For more conditioned clients, you may want to increase the warm-up to the same intensity as the first stage (see the following section for more details on the stages of the Bruce Protocol). 

You can check the heart rate response and adjust the warm-up accordingly so the intensity corresponds to a heart rate of around 100 bpm.

Step 4: Conducting the Standard Bruce Protocol

The standard Bruce Protocol follows two stages. 

Stage 1 of the Bruce Protocol

This phase consists of up to four stages, each lasting three minutes. Athletes will progress through the stages only if they are maintaining their performance.

• Step 1: Set the treadmill to 1.7 mph with a 10% incline. After three minutes, if the athlete is still performing well, move to the next stage.
• Steps 2 to 4: For each subsequent stage, increase the speed by 0.8 mph and the incline by 2%. Continue to progress through the stages as long as the athlete is able to keep going.

Once these steps are completed, move on to stage two. 

Stage 2 of the Bruce Protocol 

This stage begins at 5 mph with an 18% incline. Then, every three minutes, you will increase the speed by 0.5 mph and the incline by 2% until the test is complete. 

The Modified Bruce Protocol

The modified Bruce Protocol is physically easier and better suited to individuals with a lower level of fitness.

It is broken down into a warm-up phase followed by three main stages. 

Warm Up

The protocol starts with a five-minute warm-up at 0.8 mph and 0% incline. 

Stage 1 of the Modified Bruce Protocol

Within the modified Bruce Procotol, there are two steps lasting three minutes each:

• Step 1: Set at 1.7 mph at 0% incline 
• Step 2: Set at 1.7 mph at 5% incline

Once these two steps are completed, move on to the next phase. 

Stage 2 of the Modified Bruce Protocol

Like the normal Bruce Protocol, this stage also includes four steps: 

• Step 1: Set the treadmill at 1.7 mph with a 10% incline  
• Step 2: Increase the speed to 2.5 mph and the incline to 12%
• Steps 3 and 4: For each step, increase the speed by 0.8% and the incline by 2% 

If your client is still going strong, then enter stage three.

Stage 3 of the Modified Bruce Protocol 

Start this phase with the treadmill set at 5 mph with an 18% incline. Then, increase the speed by 0.5 mph and the incline by 2% until the end of the test. 

What You Can Learn from the Results of the Bruce Protocol

The results of the Bruce Protocol can provide valuable insights into an individual’s cardiovascular health and fitness, including:

1. Cardiovascular Fitness and Endurance: The primary goal of the Bruce protocol is to assess cardiovascular endurance, measuring how well the heart, lungs, and muscles respond to increasing levels of physical stress.
2. VO2max: The test helps identify VO2max, or the maximum amount of oxygen an individual can utilize during exercise. This is a crucial indicator of aerobic capacity and overall fitness.
3. Exercise Tolerance: The Bruce protocol shows how long a person can tolerate progressive physical exertion. This is useful for evaluating fitness levels in both athletes and non-athletes.
4. Recovery Ability: The test also provides information on how quickly the heart rate and blood pressure return to normal after exercise, indicating recovery efficiency.

The overall results give doctors and fitness professionals a comprehensive view of an individual’s fitness level and can guide personalized exercise recommendations or further medical evaluations.

Both of these Bruce protocols are included in the VO2 Master Manager app, which is complimentary with your analyzer purchase.

Ready to learn more about how you can use VO2 Master to conduct Bruce Protocol assessments? Book a live demo with one of our in-house experts today.