CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT LAB

Demonstration of Treadmill Maximal Graded Exercise

Test

Purpose
This laboratory experience is designed to illustrate the pretesting, testing, and
posttesting procedures for conducting a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) on
the treadmill and to develop your skill in administering this type of test.

Equipment

Motorized treadmill
Stethoscope
Aneroid sphygmomanometer

Student Assignments ( n = 4 )

1. Select one apparently healthy classmate to serve as the client.

2. Select one classmate (Test Operator) to prep the client for the test and to
lead the exercise test. This classmate will also record all resting, exercise,
recovery data and requesting RPE.
3. Select one student to measure HRs (palpated or collect data from the HR
monitor).
4. Select one student to measure BPs.

Testing Procedures

1. Use the treadmill protocol for the client listed below.

2. Prepare the client for the test (i.e., administer PAR-Q, explain purpose and
nature of the GXT, measure height and body weight, and calculate client's
age-predicted HRmax). Explain use of the RPE. (you will need to print
the PAR-Q and use the RPE at the end of this lab for your group
before the exercise test occurs).
3. Collect resting data. Measure resting HR using palpation or monitor.
Measure resting BP using auscultatory method.
4. Collect exercise data. Measure exercise HR every minute using palpation.
Measure exercise BP during last minute of each stage of test. Ask client
for RPE during last minute of each stage of test. Closely monitor client
throughout test, checking for signs and symptoms that indicate the test
should be terminated.
 5. Continue GXT until criteria for submax HR target (see below) is reached,
or client voluntarily terminates the test. Note whether client is walking or
running. Record reasons for stopping the test.
6. Collect recovery data for 5 min. Measure recovery HR every minute using
palpation. Measure recovery BP every min.

Data Collection Form for Treadmill Maximal

Graded Exercise Test
Clients Demographics

Name ____________________ Date _________

Age _____ yr Body weight ____ kg

Age-predicted HRmax ______ bpm Height _____ cm

( 220 age)

Collect Par-Q

Resting Data

HR ______ bpm

BP ______ mmHg (review protocol for Resting BP)

GXT Data
Target HR = 50-70% of HR max or < 180 bpm.
HR = every minute
RPE = minute 3 (begin at 2 min, 30 sec. into stage)
BP = minute 3 (begin at 2 min, 30 sec. into stage)

Minute Stage HR palpated / RPE Systolic Diastolic

monitor BP BP
Grade Speed (bpm) (mmHg) (mmHg)
% (mph)

0 0 3.5
1
2
3 0 4.0
4
5
6 0 4.5
7
8
9 0 5.0
10
11
12 0 6.0
13
14
15
Recovery Data

Minute HR Systolic Diastolic

palpated BP BP
1
2
3
4
5
Reasons for stopping the test:
Discussion Questions (type your lab report)

Your write-up is on the client who you directed during the exercise test.
1. Describe the HR response during exercise and recovery. Were these
responses normal?
2. Describe the systolic and diastolic BP responses during exercise and
recovery. Were these responses normal?
3. Determine the clients VO2 at the end of each stage. Convert the VO 2 to
METS. Estimate the client's Gross VO2 using the ACSM walking or
running equation (see table 4.3, p.73, text). Note: Use ACSM equation
only if client obtained steady state (i.e., HRs during each min are within 5
to 6 bpm) during the last stage of the GXT. For the purpose of this lab, you
may assume this criterion was met.
4. Estimate the clients VO2 max in both METS and VO2 ml/kg/min., using the
Single stage prediction model of VO2 = p.86-87, text, dependent on
whether the client was truly walking or running.
5. Determine the client's cardiorespiratory fitness level by classifying the
estimated VO2max (see table 4.1, p. 67, text).
6. Graph the client's HR and BP responses during each minute of exercise
and recovery. Plot HR on the y-axis (left side of graph), BP on the y-axis
(right side of graph), and time on the x-axis.
7. Correlate the client's exercise HR and systolic blood pressures obtained
throughout the test using the Pearson product-moment correlation
technique (rx,y). Plot your results on MS Excel. Describe the graph and
what the results mean.
8. What difficulties did you encounter in measuring HR and BP during the
submax GXT? How can you minimize these problems?
9. Describe the HR, and BP, changes that would prompt you to stop the GXT
before the client voluntarily terminates the test.
RPE
6 No exertion at all
7
Extremely light (7.5)
8
9 Very light
10
11 Light
12
13 Somewhat hard
14
15 Hard (heavy)
16
17 Very hard
18
19 Extremely hard
20 Maximal exertion
Note:

9 corresponds to "very light" exercise. For a healthy person,

it is like walking slowly at his or her own pace for some
minutes

13 on the scale is "somewhat hard" exercise, but it still feels

OK to continue.

17 "very hard" is very strenuous. A healthy person can still

go on, but he or she really has to push him- or herself. It
feels very heavy, and the person is very tired.

19 on the scale is an extremely strenuous exercise level. For

most people this is the most strenuous exercise they have
ever experienced.

Borg RPE scale

Gunnar Borg, 1970, 1985, 1994, 1998