FITNESS TEST
Your Matrix treadmill offers a variety of fitness tests-the Gerkin firefighter protocol, the WFI firefighter protocol, the Army, Navy,
Marines (USMC), and Air Force (USAF) as well as the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB).
The Gerkin protocol was developed by Dr. Richard Gerkin of the Phoenix (Arizona) Fire Department. It is a sub-maximal
graded treadmill evaluation used by many Fire Departments across the United States to assess the physical condition of the
firefighters. The test requires constant monitoring of the user’s heart rate so the use of a telemetric chest strap is highly ....
encouraged. This test has 15 stages, with each succeeding stage increasing the treadmill speed or incline. When the runner’s
maximum heart trate is reached, based on age and gender, the test is completed. The score is calculated using the length of
time needed to reach and maintain the maximum heart rate for 15 seconds. The workout operates as follows:
WARM-UP: The warm-up is 3 minutes long and runs at 3.0 mph (4.8 kph) and 0% incline.
STAGE 1: At the 3 minute mark, the treadmill will gradually increase speed to 4.5 mph (7.2 kph). The actual test begins at
4.5 mph (7.2 kph).
STAGE 2: After one minute, the treadmill incline will increase to 2%.
STAGE 3: After one minute, the treadmill speed increases to 5.0 mph (8.0 kph).
STAGES 4 THROUGH 15: After every odd minute, the treadmill incline will increase by 2%. After every even minute, the
treadmill speed will increase by 0.5 mph (0.8 kph). Once the user’s heart rate exceeds the target heart rate (85% of
maximum as determined by the equation (220-Age)*%=target heart rate zone), the individual continues the evaluation for
an additional 15 seconds. During the 15 second period, the evaluation remains at the stage where the target heart rate is
exceeded, without any change to speed or incline. If the heart rate does not return to or below the target heart rate, the
evaluation ends and the final evaluation stage is recorded. If the heart rate returns to or below the target heart rate, the
program continues at the point where it would have been had the program not stabilized for 15 seconds.
TEST COMPLETION: The test is completed when user heart rate exceeds the target for more than 15 seconds or the
user completes all 15 stages, whichever occurs first. The treadmill will enter a cool down cycle for 3 minutes at 3.0 mph
(4.8 kph), 0% incline.
Note: Programs may vary based on model and default settings.
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