Normative blood pressure repsonses during graded exercise testing

The purpose of this study was to develop normative standards for blood pressure responses throughout four graded exercise treadmill protocols: Naughton, Balke 3.0, Bruce, and Bruce Ramp. This investigation included gender specific comparisons within each protocol and between protocols for submaximal and maximal blood pressure and heart rate responses on 388 participants from the Adult Physical Fitness Program at Ball State University. The results of this study showed that overall women increase 5.2 - 6.3 mmHg per MET level and men increase 5.3 - 9.8 mmHg per MET level. Data from this study showed that men compared to women elicit a greater SBP response per MET level and gradient increase from rest to maximal levels. Overall from standing rest to maximal exercise the mean increase in women ranged from 44 to 48 mmHg and the mean increase for men ranged from 55 to 61 mmHg. Further, the women had mean resting and maximal heart rates of 76 - 90 bpm and 179 - 185 bpm, respectively. The mean increase in heart rate during exercise testing ranged from 11 - 13 bpm/MET. The women had a higher resting heart rate, a higher heart rate response per MET level and elicited a higher maximal heart rate than men. Men had mean resting and maximal heart rates of 73 – 80 and 164 – 185, respectively. The mean increase in heart rate during testing ranged from 9 – 12 bpm/MET.