The “Master TwoStep” exercise tolerance test for the diagnosis of heart disease.

Abstract
"A simple quantitative “two-step” test of myocardial function is described, and tables of climbs are given for normal individuals, from four to seventy-four years of age, of both sexes. The patient's weight multiplied by the number of ascents gives the foot pounds of work per minute. Not only may it be learned in this way whether the exercise tolerance of an individual is within average figures, but his actual limit may be ascertained. The percentage of efficiency is calculated by dividing the number of climbs the patient can actually perform by his theoretical limit, as derived from the tables.

"Men have greater exercise tolerance than women. The maximum of this tolerance appears to be about 3,800 foot pounds of work, in men between twenty-two and thirty-one years of age weighing from 170 to 200 pounds. The maximum for women appears to be 3,000 foot pounds of work performed between the ages of twenty and twenty-seven by individuals whose weight is about 150 to 180 pounds. Older and heavier men and women show a decline in exercise tolerance. Children show the greatest efficiency, that is, the number of ascents possible in the given time is highest in the young. There is a sharp rise until puberty, then the slope is more gradual until the twenties are reached.

"Thyroid extract, ephedrine, alcohol, excessive smoking, and upper respiratory infections affect the results."