Bruce protocol
Test of physical fitness and cardiac health / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bruce protocol is a standardized diagnostic test used in the evaluation of cardiac function and physical fitness, developed by American cardiologist Robert A. Bruce.[1]
Bruce protocol | |
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Purpose | evaluate cardiac function |
Test of | Cardiac stress test |
According to the original Bruce protocol the patient walks on an uphill treadmill in a graded exercise test with electrodes on the chest to monitor. Every 3 min the speed & incline of the treadmill are increased.[2] There are 7 such stages and only very fit athletes can complete all 7 stages. The modified Bruce Protocol is an alteration in the protocol so that the treadmill is initially horizontal rather than uphill, with the 1st few intervals increasing the treadmill slope only.[3]
The Bruce treadmill test estimates maximum oxygen uptake using a formula and the performance of the subject on a treadmill as the workload is increased. The test is easy to perform in a medical office setting, does not require extensive training or expensive equipment, and it has been validated as a strong predictor of clinical outcomes.[4]