Table 1. Examples of Treadmill Testing Protocols for
Peripheral Arterial Disease
| Time, min |
Speed, mph |
Hiatt16 Grade
Stage |
Gardner22 Grade Stage |
Standard15
Grade |
|
| 1 |
2.0 |
0% |
0% |
12.0% |
| 2 |
2.0 |
0% |
0% 1 |
12.0% |
| 3 |
2.0 |
0% 1 |
2.0% |
12.0% |
| 4 |
2.0 |
3.5% |
2.0% 2 |
12.0% |
| 5 |
2.0 |
3.5% |
4.0% |
12.0% |
| 6 |
2.0 |
3.5% 2 |
4.0% 3 |
12.0% |
| 7 |
2.0 |
7.0% |
6.0% |
12.0% |
| 8 |
2.0 |
7.0% |
6.0% 4 |
12.0% |
| 9 |
2.0 |
7.0% 3 |
8.0% |
12.0% |
| 10 |
2.0 |
10.5% |
8.0% 5 |
12.0% |
| 11 |
2.0 |
10.5% |
10.0% |
12.0% |
| 12 |
2.0 |
10.5% 4 |
10.0% 6 |
12.0% |
| 13 |
2.0 |
14.0% |
12.0% |
12.0% |
| 14 |
2.0 |
14.0% |
12.0% 7 |
12.0% |
| 15 |
2.0 |
14.0% 5 |
14.0% |
12.0% |
| 16 |
2.0 |
17.5% |
14.0% 8 |
12.0% |
|
The Hiatt and Gardner graded treadmill protocols have been
validated in the peripheral arterial disease
population. The speed is held constant at 2.0 mph, with an increase in
grade of 3.5% every 3 minutes (Hiatt) or 2.0% every 2 minutes
(Gardner). The constant-load "standard" treadmill protocol is
performed at either 1.5 or 2.0 mph, at a fixed grade of 12%.
