Posted: 12/3/2012 12:50:45 PM EDT
| Has anyone every had to take a stress/VO2 max test using the Bruce protocol? I have one coming up and while I think I can handle it, I'm still a bit nervous because I have a lot riding on passing this test or not. Any info/advice would be great. |
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Quoted: I have to take one annually for my Bomb Squad/ HazMat tech physical and I HATE it. If you have access to an asthma inhaler hit it before you start. That bad huh? Other than the asthma inhaler, do you do anything to help prepare? I've been practicing on the treadmill going through the steps and can do it to the 15 minute mark minus 2 degrees elevation(gym only goes so far) and the tube. I've read where others are saying they made it up to 12 minutes during the test and while they hated it, they passed. Not 100% certain but I think I'll be taking it the same place you take yours. |
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Quoted: Quoted: I have to take one annually for my Bomb Squad/ HazMat tech physical and I HATE it. If you have access to an asthma inhaler hit it before you start. That bad huh? Other than the asthma inhaler, do you do anything to help prepare? I've been practicing on the treadmill going through the steps and can do it to the 15 minute mark minus 2 degrees elevation(gym only goes so far) and the tube. I've read where others are saying they made it up to 12 minutes during the test and while they hated it, they passed. Not 100% certain but I think I'll be taking it the same place you take yours. Its not THAT bad - I'm just sick of it. I usually go 10 minutes and they'll let me stop because I take a beta blocker and they will NEVER get my heart rate where they want it. I know some of the really fit guys who are done in 8 minutes. Train for it on an iclining treadmill. Is this for the CFD? |
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Quoted: Its not THAT bad - I'm just sick of it. I usually go 10 minutes and they'll let me stop because I take a beta blocker and they will NEVER get my heart rate where they want it. I know some of the really fit guys who are done in 8 minutes. Train for it on an iclining treadmill. Is this for the CFD? Gotcha, like I said been using doing the treadmill routine, so I guess I will just keep on keeping on. |
Well you were right that test sucked. I'm a tall guy and the student that shaved my chest almost had to use a step stool to reach it. On the treadmill the hose was pulling my head down and to the right and there wasn't much if any slack so it was uncomfortable as all get out. I'll find out if I passed in a couple days.
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Quoted:
Has anyone every had to take a stress/VO2 max test using the Bruce protocol? I have one coming up and while I think I can handle it, I'm still a bit nervous because I have a lot riding on passing this test or not. Any info/advice would be great. Never taken one of those tests. What is the test methodology? My advice would be to "train to the test". If the test involves running on a treadmill which increases in speed and incline, then I would include similar sessions in my training. It wouldn't comprise all of my training, but once or twice per week, I would do something similar to the test. If you have test specifics, I could offer better advice. ETA - whoops. Sorry. Missed your post that you had already taken the test. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I have to take one annually for my Bomb Squad/ HazMat tech physical and I HATE it. If you have access to an asthma inhaler hit it before you start. That bad huh? Other than the asthma inhaler, do you do anything to help prepare? I've been practicing on the treadmill going through the steps and can do it to the 15 minute mark minus 2 degrees elevation(gym only goes so far) and the tube. I've read where others are saying they made it up to 12 minutes during the test and while they hated it, they passed. Not 100% certain but I think I'll be taking it the same place you take yours. If you can go to 15 min. -2 degrees you are fine. That -2 is probably worth 30-45 seconds at the end of the test. |
| I missed it by 2.3(I'm assuming that is liters since it measures O2 usage). I think being nervous, being too focused on the time and the fact that the hose was forcing me to bend over a little bit messed me up. Luckily I can take it again and at least this time around I know what to expect. |