Physiologic results of three different bicycle ergometer exercise stress test protocols in healthy elderly males were compared in this study. The protocols consisted of 1-minute, 3-minute, and continuous-ramp stage protocols. Twelve male subjects participated in the study (mean ± SD age 69.5 ±4 years, height 169.3 ±5.6 cm, and weight (77.1 ±8.5 kg). All subjects performed three symptom-limited maximal exercise stress tests with a 45-watt increase in work rate every three minutes (3min), 15 watts every minute (1min), or one watt every 4 seconds (continuous). The overall work rate for each subject was identical for all three protocols. Respiratory parameters included peak O2 uptake (JOURNAL/jcrh/04.03/00008483-199303000-00010/OV0312/v/2021-01-27T102013Z/r/image-pngO2max), ventilatory threshold (VeT), peak CO2 production (VCO2), minute ventilation (VE), and O2 uptake with respect to work rate (ΔJOURNAL/jcrh/04.03/00008483-199303000-00010/OV0312/v/2021-01-27T102013Z/r/image-pngO2/ΔWR), which were measured breath by breath. Analysis of maximal work results revealed that the continuous test produced higher diastolic blood pressures. No other significant differences in maximal work results were observed. Analysis of submaximal data revealed no statistical differences in VeT measurements. Results were compared at 3 submaximal work rates (45, 90, and 135 watts). Analysis of results at 45 watts revealed that the continuous protocol produced lower systolic BP (P < 0.05), JOURNAL/jcrh/04.03/00008483-199303000-00010/OV0312/v/2021-01-27T102013Z/r/image-pngO2, O2 pulse, and ΔJOURNAL/jcrh/04.03/00008483-199303000-00010/OV0312/v/2021-01-27T102013Z/r/image-pngO2/ΔWR (P < 0.01) when compared to 3 minutes. The continuous protocol also resulted in lower HR when compared to 1- and 3-minute protocols. Analysis at 90 watts revealed the continuous protocol produced lower HR (P < 0.05) when compared to 3 minutes, and lower O2 pulse, O2 uptake, and ΔJOURNAL/jcrh/04.03/00008483-199303000-00010/OV0312/v/2021-01-27T102013Z/r/image-pngO2/ΔWR (P < 0.05) when compared to 3- and 1-minute protocols. Comparison of protocols at 135 watts revealed 3 minutes providing higher HR (P < 0.05). No other significant differences were noted. It was concluded that all examined protocols are generally equal in eliciting VeT and maximal cardiorespiratory demand in elderly males. Submaximal analysis revealed the continuous protocol produced a lower cardiorespiratory demand at a given workload.