A titration schedule on a treadmill.

A technique is presented utilizing a titration schedule to measure performance decrement as a function of continuing heavy muscular exertion. A treadmill is equipped with a reversible motor controlling the velocity control of the treadmill itself. This provides a constant acceleration of the treadmill unless a subject-controlled, spring loaded switch is depressed. If this switch is depressed, the treadmill decelerates at a constant rate. A subject is instructed to walk at maximum rate at all times, controlling the velocity of the treadmill with the switch. A performance record is obtained from a tachometer-generator on the treadmill delivering current to a recorder.