🏃 Bruce Protocol METs Calculator
Convert Bruce treadmill test completion stage into METs, estimated VO₂ max, and calorie expenditure.
Each stage lasts 3 minutes. Enter last full stage completed.
Optional partial progress within unfinished stage.
Used to estimate calories per minute/hour.
Total Duration
6.00 min
Bruce protocol duration
Estimated METs
5.8
Metabolic equivalents
VO₂ Max
20.2 ml/kg/min
Predicted aerobic capacity
Calories / hr
424
Approximate steady-state rate
How to Use This Calculator
Record Bruce test result
Note the last full stage completed and seconds into the next stage.
Enter demographic data
Select gender and body weight for MET and calorie calculations.
Review aerobic capacity
See estimated METs, VO₂ max, and energy expenditure.
Apply to training
Use results to benchmark fitness or prescribe cardiovascular workouts.
Formula
VO₂max (male) = 14.8 − 1.379·T + 0.451·T² − 0.012·T³
VO₂max (female) = 4.38·T − 3.9
METs = VO₂max ÷ 3.5
Calories/min = METs × 3.5 × Weight (kg) ÷ 200
T represents total Bruce protocol time in minutes (each stage = 3 minutes). METs translate oxygen consumption into relative exercise intensity for comparison across body sizes.
Example
Male completes 3 stages + 90 seconds → T = 4.5 min. VO₂max ≈ 14.8 − 6.2055 + 9.135 − 1.0935 = 16.6 ml/kg/min → METs ≈ 4.7. Calories/min for 75 kg ≈ 12.3.
Variables
- T: Bruce protocol time (minutes)
- VO₂max: Maximal oxygen uptake (ml/kg/min)
- MET: Relative metabolic intensity
- Calories/min: Energy cost at the workload
Understanding the Bruce Protocol
The Bruce treadmill test increases speed and grade every three minutes, stressing the cardiovascular system progressively. Time to exhaustion correlates strongly with aerobic fitness and cardiac health.
Clinical Uses
- Assess cardiac function and ischemia during stress testing.
- Predict VO₂ max when direct gas analysis is unavailable.
- Evaluate training adaptations in endurance athletes.
Limitations
- Protocol is high-impact; not ideal for deconditioned or orthopedic-limited individuals.
- Formulas estimate VO₂ max; direct metabolic cart testing provides higher fidelity.
- Environmental factors (temperature, motivational coaching) influence completion time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a clinical treadmill?
The Bruce protocol is typically supervised in medical settings. Athletes can mimic stages on commercial treadmills with caution.
What if I stop mid-stage?
Record seconds completed in the unfinished stage; the calculator converts partial progress into total time.
How often should I repeat the test?
Every few months under professional guidance, especially if used for cardiac monitoring.
Does medication affect results?
Beta-blockers and other cardiovascular medications can reduce heart rate response and perceived effort; consult healthcare providers.
Can I use METs for training zones?
Yes, METs help set treadmill workloads or compare metabolic cost across exercises, complementing heart rate and pace metrics.