On Aug. 1, Sandra Billinger, PhD., PT, professor in the Department of Neurology, launched an innovative tool designed to simplify administration of the total body recumbent stepper submaximal exercise test. 

The new TBRS Submax smartphone application is the latest evolution of the widely used exercise test, first developed by Billinger. The test, which predicts a person’s peak oxygen consumption or aerobic fitness, supports research- and clinic-based fitness assessments. 

The app guides users through the testing protocol and captures test data in real time, automatically calculating estimated aerobic fitness. Once collected, this data can help clinicians and researchers create individualized exercise prescriptions. 

“The launch of the TBRS Submax app is an incredibly exciting milestone,” Billinger said. “What began several decades ago as a research question has evolved into a practical tool that can make evidence-based exercise testing more accessible to clinicians, researchers and community fitness. For me, this represents the best of translational science by taking what we learn through research and turning it into something that can be used to advance patient care and promote health through exercise.” 

Smartphone users can download TBRS Submax in the App Store.