The period was defined by a rapid move toward standardization of treadmill testing protocols, interpretation criteria, and prognostic implications, enabling cross-study comparability and more reliable risk stratification. Researchers increasingly integrated functional performance measures and formal testing guidelines into clinical workflows, supporting safe, effective exercise prescription and broader public health emphasis on fitness assessment. The era also saw the application of behavior-change frameworks to promote sustained physical activity, particularly in worksite settings, linking laboratory findings to real-world adherence outcomes.