Calculating VO2 MAX using Bruce Protocol Question

I was going to test a clients VO2 MAX today at a gym I've just started working at using the Bruce protocol. Had a read over the protocol and was all good to go, but then I noticed that our treadmills(LifeFitness) have a 15% max incline. The protocol has 9 stages and goes up to 26%.

Stage 1 = 1.7 mph at 10% incline
Stage 2 = 2.5 mph at 12% incline
Stage 3 = 3.4 mph at 14% incline
Stage 4 = 4.2 mph at 16% incline
Stage 5 = 5.0 mph at 18% incline
Stage 6 = 5.5 mph at 20% incline
Stage 7 = 6.0 mph at 22% incline
Stage 8 = 6.5 mph at 24% incline
Stage 9 = 7.0 mph at 26% incline

Has anyone ever run this test on a similar treadmill? is it possible? For example, could I start it at 1%(10%) then 2% (12%) etc. Or would that not work?

What indoor tests do you use?

I used to do this at my gym. There are other protocols you can use. Balke is one I believe for more sedentary individuals, and the incline increases much more slowly.

[url]http://www.brianmac.co.uk/balketread.htm[/url]

There's a bunch of other tests on there too.

That being said, VO2 Max testing is interesting for exercise physiologists, but for personal training clients I think they best way to measure improvement is to have them perform at a task which they are going to routinely practice during exercise. So, you don't need a test, you could just throw them on a treadmill and say run as long as you can at 5.0 speed. And then they can try to improve on that whenever they come in.

[QUOTE=TXScout2;576040761]I used to do this at my gym. There are other protocols you can use. Balke is one I believe for more sedentary individuals, and the incline increases much more slowly.

[url]http://www.brianmac.co.uk/balketread.htm[/url]

There's a bunch of other tests on there too.

That being said, VO2 Max testing is interesting for exercise physiologists, but for personal training clients I think they best way to measure improvement is to have them perform at a task which they are going to routinely practice during exercise. So, you don't need a test, you could just throw them on a treadmill and say run as long as you can at 5.0 speed. And then they can try to improve on that whenever they come in.[/QUOTE]

Yes I agree, normally I wouldn't use one, but this client (a cop) specifically asked for one.
I did take a look at the Balke and also Astrand, which I ended up using. The incline MAX on the life fitness treadmill, doesn't seem to go higher enough for those tests as the client ended on the 15% luckily lol, cos I didn't have a plan B.

How much incline did the treadmills you use to use have?

don't you need a oxygen mask to calculate max vo2?

[QUOTE=taylorWI;576102141]don't you need a oxygen mask to calculate max vo2?[/QUOTE]

If your measuring directly, yes. The Bruce and other tests are indirect tests, which estimate VO2.

I haven't kept up with the latest and greatest on VO2 Max testing, but some suggest it is mostly determined by genetics and largely untrainable. That being said if I were interested in finding VO2 max and lactic threshold I would use a bicycle that shows wattage. There are a gazillion protocols for both on the internet.

Richard

why use just the Bruce Protocol when you can use the

[img]http://www.myclassiclyrics.com/artist_biographies/images/Bruce_Lee_Biography_2.jpg[/img]

Protocol?