MULTISTAGE FITNESS (BEEP) TEST
The multistage fitness test, otherwise known as the beep test, is used to measure aerobic power.
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By Owen Walker
26th Jan 16 | 5 min read
Contents of Article
Developed in the early 1980’s, the multistage fitness test was created to provide a cost-effective and practical prediction of maximal oxygen uptake (V02 max) in children, adolescents, and adults. Despite becoming the most popular test for measuring aerobic power, recent research has reported that this test is not a valid predictor of V02 max – unlike the findings reported in previous research.
Keywords: aerobic power, V02 max, fitness test, sports science,
The multistage fitness test, otherwise known as the beep test, bleep test, or the 20m shuttle run test is a continuous sub-maximal test which has become the most recognised tool for measuring aerobic power (1). This test was originally developed for adults in 1982 by Leger and Lambert (2) and then modified later in 1988 for children, by reducing the stages from 2-minutes to 1-minute by Leger et al (3). It is an extremely simple test, which requires minimal equipment and demands the athlete(s) to run continuously until volitional exhaustion.
It requires the athlete to perform continuous 20m shuttle runs, whereby the individual must reach the opposite end of the 20m grid before the next beep sounds. The time between recorded beep decreases each minute, forcing the individuals to increase their running speed. It is this increase in speed which reflects the increase in difficulty/intensity. There are numerous variations of this test, but the most commonly used protocol has an initial running velocity of 8.5 km/hr, and increases the speed by 0.5 km/hr each minute thereafter.
As this test is a measure of aerobic power, it is therefore typically used in sports which have a high aerobic demand such as:
It is important to note that whenever fitness testing is performed, it must be done so in a consistent environment (i.e. facility), so that it is protected from varying weather types, and with a dependable surface that is not effected 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.
Required Equipment
Test Configuration
Figure 1 displays the configuration for the Multistage Fitness test, this must be adhered to if accurate and reliable data is desired.
Procedure
The test is comprised of 23 levels, each level lasts approximately 1-minute. The starting speed is 8.5km/hr and increases by 0.5km/hr at each level thereafter. As the individual progresses through the levels, the speed between the beeps decreases giving the individual less time to complete each shuttle, thus increasing the intensity. A single beep indicates the end of each shuttle, whilst three simultaneous beeps indicates the start of the next level.
Test Procedure
Scores can be presented in three ways: 1) V02 max; 2) total distance (metres); 3) or level achieved. Though the multistage fitness test was originally developed as a practical method for predicting maximum oxygen uptake (V02max), it has been subject to much scrutiny in recent years regarding its ability to accurately predict V02max. For further details on this, scroll down to section ‘Validity and Reliability’.
How to: Calculate V02 max
The mathematical formulas below demonstrate how to predict the V02 max using the original calculations by Leger and colleagues 1988 (3).
Formula for predicting V02 max in children:
This is predicted using the maximum 20m shuttle speed (km/h–1)* and age (years – rounded to the nearest integer).
Formula for predicting V02 max in adults:
This is predicted using the maximum 20m shuttle speed (km/h–1)*.
Formula for predicting V02 max in adolescents (18 years old):
This is predicted using the maximum 20m shuttle speed (km/h–1)*.
*this is the speed achieved during the athletes final 20m shuttle run before test withdrawal.
How to: Calculate Total Distance
Total distance is perhaps the simplest, most common, and the most reliable method of reporting multistage fitness test performance.
To calculate total distance, the simplest method is to record the total number of shuttles completed by the athlete and then multiply that number by 20 (20 = 1 x 20m shuttle: the run from cone A to cone B = 20m).
For example, if an athlete performs 30 shuttles, this number can then be multiplied by 20 to calculate their total distance (e.g. 30 x 20 = 600m).
How to: Calculate Level Achieved
An individual’s score is determine by two factors:
For example, if an athlete reaches level 17 and fails on the 8th shuttle within that level, then their score is registered as ‘Level 17, Shuttle 8’. This even applies if the individual is less than halfway to the end shuttle-line before the next beep sounds (i.e. 1/3 of the 8th shuttle run completed).
When conducting the test there are several factors that need to be taking into consideration before you begin – some being:
It is critical that the coach understands the test is both valid and reliable before they include it within their testing battery. Any test that is 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.
Though the multistage fitness test has previously been reported to be a valid and reliable test for predicting V02 max in children, adolescents (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), and adults (3, 2, 9), recent research has criticised the previous methods used to calculate these findings (1).
In the study conducted by Cooper and associates (1), the authors explain that all the previous research used correlation statistics instead of agreement statistics. In these circumstances, when measuring both test repeatability and test validity, agreement statistics should be used (10, 11). The results of their investigation concluded that whilst the multistage fitness test possesses sufficient repeatability, it is not a valid predictor of V02 max. Consequently, according to the latest research, the multistage fitness test is not a valid predictor of V02 max.
Whilst the test itself is sufficiently reliable when performed correctly, it is however subject to several weaknesses.
Some coaches believe that reading one article will make them an expert on Performance Testing. Here’s why they’re wrong…
Performance Testing entails many, many topics. By choosing to simply read up on The Multistage Fitness (Beep) Test and ignore the sea of other crucial Performance Testing topics, you run the risk of being detrimental to your athlete’s success and not realising your full potential.
To make you an expert coach and make your life as easy as possible, we highly suggest you now check out this article on The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1).
Disclaimer
All information provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for the administration or provision of any testing conducted, whether that results in any positive or negative consequences. As an example, we do not take any responsibility for any injury or illness caused during any test administration. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
Reference List (click here to open)
Owen Walker MSc*D CSCS
Owen is the founder and director of Science for Sport and chief editor of the monthly Performance Digest. He was formerly the Head of Academy Sports Science and Strength & Conditioning at Cardiff City Football Club, and an interim Sports Scientist for the Welsh FA. He also has a master’s degree in strength and conditioning and is a NSCA certified strength and conditioning coach.
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Learn how to effectively carry out tests on your athletes without spending a penny. You’ll master performance testing, field tests, gym tests and more for free.