Bruce Protocol METs Calculator
Calculate cardiovascular fitness and VO2 max from stress test results
Calculate Your Bruce Protocol Results
Age affects maximum heart rate calculation
Different formulas apply for men and women
How long you lasted on the treadmill
Additional seconds beyond full minutes
Bruce Protocol Test Results
Formula (male): METs = (14.8 - 1.379×T + 0.451×T² - 0.012×T³) / 3.5
Bruce Protocol Stages
Example: 35-Year-Old Male
Input Values
Age: 35 years
Gender: Male
Test Time: 10 minutes 30 seconds
Max HR: 192 - (0.007 × 35²) = 183 bpm
Results
METs Max: 11.8 METs
VO2 Max: 41.3 ml/kg/min
Stage: Completed Stage 3
Fitness Level: Average
METs Reference Guide
Test Guidelines
Stages
Maximum test duration: 21 minutes
Medical Supervision
Required for cardiac patients
Progressive Load
Speed and incline increase every 3 min
Fitness Benchmarks
Non-trained Average
Women: 8 METs, Men: 10 METs
Good Fitness (30y)
Women: 14 METs, Men: 15 METs
Elite Athletes
Women: 22 METs, Men: 25 METs
Age Decline
10% decrease per decade after 20s
Understanding Bruce Protocol METs Testing
What is the Bruce Protocol?
The Bruce Protocol is a standardized exercise stress test developed by cardiologist Robert A. Bruce in 1963. It's designed to assess cardiovascular fitness and detect heart conditions by gradually increasing exercise intensity on a treadmill over seven 3-minute stages.
Understanding METs
METs (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) measure energy expenditure during physical activity. One MET equals the energy cost of sitting quietly and represents 3.5 ml of oxygen consumption per kilogram of body weight per minute.
Clinical Applications
- •Cardiac risk assessment
- •Exercise prescription
- •Fitness evaluation
- •Rehabilitation monitoring
Test Procedure
Preparation
Medical clearance, baseline measurements
Testing
Progressive 3-minute stages on treadmill
Monitoring
Heart rate, blood pressure, ECG
Termination
Exhaustion or medical criteria
Important Safety Note
The Bruce Protocol stress test should only be performed under medical supervision, especially for individuals with known or suspected heart conditions. This calculator is for educational purposes and result interpretation only.