30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test

The 30-15 IFT measures aerobic and anaerobic capacity, change of direction qualities, and ability to recover during intermittent exercise.

Owen Walker

By Owen Walker
Last updated: March 1st, 2024
9 min read

Contents of Article

  1. Summary
  2. What is the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (IFT)?
  3. How do you conduct the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test?
  4. How do you score the 30-15 IFT?
  5. Is the 30-15 IFT valid and reliable?
  6. Are there any issues with the 30-15 IFT?
  7. References
  8. About the Author

Summary

The 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (IFT) has become an extremely popular field test for the analysis of many athletes, some of which include football (soccer), field hockey, netball, and handball. The test was originally developed to measure several physical qualities/capacities that are challenged during intermittent sports. Since then, it has been shown to be a reliable measure of VO2 max, but this has only been compared to the University of Montreal Track Test and not “gold-standard” laboratory gas analysis.

Furthermore, it may not be a reliable measure of maximal aerobic speed due to the influence of the anaerobic velocity reserve. However, this is why ‘corrective equations’ are used to calculate maximal aerobic speed from VO2 max tests. Amongst several other factors, change of direction capacity has been shown to influence an athlete’s performance during this test, suggesting players with better capacities to repeatedly change direction may perform better.

What is the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test?

Invented by Martin Buchheit, the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT) was developed as a reference guide for interval training prescription and to measure typical physical qualities/capacities that are challenged during intermittent sports such as football (soccer), handball, netball, and field hockey. More specifically, it was developed to measure an athlete’s maximal aerobic function, anaerobic capacity, neuromuscular and change of direction qualities, and their ability to recover during intermittent exercise (1, 2).

Therefore, and according to Martin Buchheit himself, the test was designed to provide the coach with an overall picture of the athlete’s fitness capacity – or at least a number of these fitness qualities (3). So although we have placed this test under the ‘aerobic’ fitness testing category, it actually has several capabilities. Having said that, this diversity also means that the test cannot isolate any particular physical quality (e.g. maximal aerobic function). For example, an athlete who has a poor change of direction capacity may not perform as well “aerobically” on the test in comparison to an athlete who has a good change of direction capacity (3).

Since its original development, it has been diversified to do many different things. These include:

  • Identifying an athlete’s maximal aerobic speed (3)
  • Identifying an athlete’s repeated change of direction capacity (3)
  • Identifying an athlete’s anaerobic velocity reserve (ARV) (3)
  • Being used for training prescription (3)
  • Variations of the test: Basketball (4), Wheelchair Basketball (5) and Ice Hockey (6)

As expressed in the name, the 30-15 IFT is an ‘intermittent’ test, which means athletes are required to perform intense exercise followed by a recovery and repeat this until volitional exhaustion. The ’30-15’ simply refers to the work-to-rest ratio/time – meaning the test requires athletes to run for 30 seconds and then recover (i.e. walk) for 15 seconds.

How do you conduct the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test?

It is important to note that whenever fitness testing is performed, it must be done in a consistent environment (i.e. facility) so it is protected from varying weather types, and with a dependable surface that is not affected by wet or slippery conditions. If the environment is not consistent, the reliability of repeated tests at later dates can be substantially hindered and result in worthless data.

  • Facility – Consistent, flat and non-slip (minimum length 45 metres (m))
  • Marking cones
  • Measuring tape (≥ 40 m)
  • 30-15 IFT audio CD or MP3
  • CD or MP3 player with loudspeaker (volume of the speaker is particularly important).
  • Performance recording sheet
  • Officiator recording the number of shuttles completed (explained in ‘Scoring’ section).

Test Configuration
Figure 1 displays the configuration for the standard 30-15 IFT, this must be adhered to if accurate and reliable data is desired.

30-15 IFT Setup Complete
Figure 1 – Configuration for the standard 30-15 IFT

The 30-15 IFT consists of 30-second shuttle runs interspersed with 15-second walking recovery periods. The test starting speed is 8 km/h (i.e. first 30-second shuttle run), and this speed increases by 0.5 km/h for every 30-second stage thereafter. So, the running speed at stage 1 is 8 km/h, stage 2 is 8.5 km/h, stage 3 at 9 km/h and so on.

Athletes are required to run back and forth between the two lines set 40m apart (Figure 1) at a speed governed by an audio “beep”. As the individual progresses through the levels, the time between the beeps decreases giving the individual less time to complete each shuttle, thus increasing the speed/intensity of the test.

The two 3m zones in the middle of the testing area (6m in total) exist so the athletes can gauge the required running speed, and therefore adjust their speed accordingly (i.e. speed-up or slow-down). The two 3m end zones/turning lines also help guide the athlete to adjust/maintain their speed. During the 15-second recovery period, athletes are required to walk in a forward direction towards the closest 3m zone; this zone is where they will start the next running stage from.

Athletes must reach the next 3m zone – either the middle one or the end zones – on a consistent basis. Failure to reach the next 3m zone on three consecutive occasions results in elimination from the test.

As this test can often be confusing for athletes who have never experienced it, it is important to reinforce that the athlete must continue to run for 30-seconds and reach the next 3m zone for each ‘beep’. This 30-second running interval will then be followed by a 15-second walking recovery. So the athletes simply need to reach the next 3m zone by the beep and adjust their speed accordingly.

  • Participants begin the test from the ‘start-line’ (Zone A)
  • When instructed by the audio player, the athletes must run towards the next 3m zone and reach it by the following audio beep, they must continue doing this for the entire 30 seconds.
  • Zones A and C, located 40 m apart, are both turning lines. This simply means when athletes reach these zones, they must turn around and begin running towards the opposite zone.
  • A distinctive change in the audio beep will signal the beginning of the 15-second recovery period. During the recovery period, athletes are required to walk slowly, staying within the 3m zone, and prepare for the following 30-second interval.
  • They must repeat this action continuously until they reach voluntary exhaustion.
  • If the athlete fails to reach a 3m recovery zone before the ‘beep’, the participant is issued with one failed attempt. If the athlete receives three consecutive fail attempts, they are withdrawn from the test and their score recorded as final. However, if the individual reaches the zone before the second consecutive beep, their failed attempts are reset.
  • Once withdrawn from the test, the individual’s score must be recorded.

How do you score the 30-15 IFT?

The speed of the last stage the athlete completes is recorded as their test score. For example, if the athlete completes the 19 km/h stage, but fails and drops out at stage 19.5 km/h, then 19 km/h is recorded as their performance score. This score is often referred to as the “velocity–intermittent fitness test (VIFT).

How to: Calculate VO2 max
The athlete’s VO2 max can also be calculated based on the athlete’s final running speed (VIFT) using the following formula (3):

VO2 max (ml.kg1.min1) = 28.3 – (2.15 x G) – (0.741 x A) – (0.0357 x W) + (0.0586 x A x VIFT) + (1.03 x VIFT)

Where:

  • VIFT is the final running speed
  • G refers to gender (male = 1; female = 2)
  • A for age (in years)
  • W for weight (in kilograms)
30-15 IFT Scores
Figures 2 – Common test scores for male football (soccer) players.
30-15 IFT Scores (females)
Figures 3 – Common test scores for female football (soccer) players.

Considerations
When conducting the test there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration before you begin. Some of these include:

  • Individual effort – Sub-maximal efforts will result in inaccurate scores.
  • Test regulation – It is vital to have at least two coaches officiate the procedure to prevent any test misconduct, such as not reaching the recovery zones before the beeps.
  • Clothing and footwear – incorrect clothing and/or footwear could easily lead to sub-maximal efforts and therefore worthless data.

Is the 30-15 IFT valid and reliable?

It is critical the coach understands the test is both valid and reliable before they include it within their testing battery. Any test that lacks significant validity and/or reliability will produce worthless results that should not be used literally. Moreover, even a test with sufficient validity and reliability will still have some degree of error/inconsistency, but understanding how much is a crucial part of the data analysis.

The 30-15 IFT has been shown to have good test-retest reliability with a typical error of measurement to be of 0.3 km/h (ICC = 0.96), suggesting a potential difference of about one stage (i.e. 0.5 km/h) (3, 7).

The 30-15 IFT has been shown to be a valid and reliable measure of VO2 max (8), though it is worth noting that this was only compared to the VO2 max achieved during the University of Montreal Track test – otherwise known as the Léger-Boucher track test (9) – and not the typical “gold-standard” laboratory gas analysis.

Another reason coaches often use the 30-15IFT is to establish the athlete’s maximal aerobic speed, with this they will then individualise their training prescription. In this instance, it is vital the coach understands that the VIFT (i.e. the athlete’s 30-15 IFT score) is not a direct reflection of their maximal aerobic speed. This is where things get a little complicated, but we will try and keep it as simple and understandable as possible.

As an athlete can continue running, and even run faster even though they have already achieved their VO2 max, maximal aerobic speed is then simply the ‘slowest’ speed an athlete will achieve their VO2 max (10). As a result, an athlete may reach their VO2 max at 17 km/h during the 30-15 IFT, but may achieve a total score of 18.5 km/h on the test. This is perhaps more easily understood by viewing Figure 4. The ability to continue running, and even increase running speed, after VO2 max has been reached is known as the ‘anaerobic velocity reserve’ (3). However, this is why ‘corrective equations’ are used to calculate maximal aerobic speed from VO2 max tests. All in all, this suggests that the 30-15 IFT may not be a useful marker of maximal aerobic speed.

maximal aerobic speed science for sport

Are there any issues with the 30-15 IFT?

Whilst the test itself is reliable when performed correctly, it is however subject to several weaknesses.

  • It has been shown to be a reliable measure of VO2 max, but only when compared to the University of Montreal Track test.
  • It may not be a reliable measure of maximal aerobic speed due to the influence of the anaerobic velocity reserve.
  • Change of direction capacity influences an athlete’s performance during this test, suggesting players with better capacities to repeatedly change direction may perform better.
  • Regulating the test with large groups becomes somewhat difficult as it is hard to track which athletes have repeatedly failed to reach the recovery zones before the beep. Therefore, it is strongly advised that multiple assessors officiate the test.
  1. Buchheit M. 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test and repeated sprint ability. Science & Sports 23: 26-28, 2008.
  2. Buchheit M. The 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test: accuracy for individualizing interval training of young intermittent sport players. J Strength Cond Res 22: 365-374, 2008. [PubMed]
  3. Buchheit, M. (2010). The 30-15 intermittent fitness test – 10-year review. [Link]
  4. Haydar B, and Buchheit M. Le 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test – application pour le Basketball. Pivot 2-5, 2009.
  5. Weissland T, Faupin A, Borel B, Leprêtre PM. Comparison Between 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test and Multistage Field Test on Physiological Responses in Wheelchair Basketball Players. Front Physiol. 2015; 6: 380. Published online 2015 Dec 16. [PubMed]
  6. Buchheit M, Levebvre B, Laursen P, and Ahmaidi S. Reliability, usefulness, and validity of the 30–15 intermittent ice test in young elite ice hockey players. J Strength Cond Res. 2011 May;25(5):1457-64. [PubMed]
  7. Buchheit M. The 30-15 intermittent fitness test: reliability and implication for interval training of intermittent sport players. In: 10th European Congress of Sport Science. Belgrade, Serbia: 2005.
  8. Buchheit M, Al Haddad H, Millet GP, Lepretre PM, Newton M, Ahmaidi S. Cardiorespiratory and cardiac autonomic responses to 30-15 intermittent fitness test in team sport players. J Strength Cond Res 2009; 23(1):93-100. [PubMed]
  9. Léger L & Boucher R. An indirect continuous running multistage field test: the Université de Montréal track test. Can J Appl Sport Sci. 1980 Jun;5(2):77-84. [PubMed]
  10. Berthoin S, Baquet G, Manteca F, Lensel G, Gerbeaux M. Maximal Aerobic Speed and Running Time to Exhaustion for Children 6 to 17 Years Old 1996, 8, 234 – 244. [Link]

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Owen Walker

Owen Walker

Owen is the Founder of Science for Sport and has a Master’s degree in Strength & Conditioning and a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Conditioning & Rehabilitation from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Before founding Science for Sport, he was the Head of Academy Sports Science at Cardiff City Football Club, and an interim Sports Scientist for the Welsh Football Association.

He’s published research on the ‘Practical Applications of Water Immersion Recovery Modalities for Team Sports’ in the Strength & Conditioning Journal by the NSCA (National Strength & Conditioning Association). He has also been featured in the Sports Business Journal and The Roar, Australia’s leading sports opinion website.

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