Abstract: A treadmill test protocol is provided having a linearly increasing work rate profile achieved by linearly increasing walking speed while simultaneously and non-linearly increasing the treadmill inclination. Specifically, according to the protocol it is possible to use a test subject's projected maximum end-test work rate to calculate a treadmill test protocol that starts with a low walking speed and low grade to produce a metabolic rate that is commensurable to that of unloaded cycling in cycle ergometer tests, thereafter having a linear increase in walking speed and simultaneous curvilinear increase in treadmill grade so that when the test subject is tested according to the calculated protocol, the test result yields a work rate and metabolic rate response with a linear slope. Further, the desired maximum treadmill speed can be adjusted so as there is no need for jogging or running for any given test subject.

Abstract: A treadmill test protocol is provided having a linearly increasing work rate profile achieved by increasing walking speed while simultaneously increasing treadmill inclination. Specifically, according to the protocol it is possible to use a test subject's projected maximum end-test work rate to calculate a treadmill test protocol having a linear increase in walking speed and simultaneous curvilinear increase in treadmill grade so that when the test subject is tested according to the calculated protocol, the test result yields a work rate and oxygen uptake response with a linear slope.