Multi-stage fitness test

The multi-stage fitness test, also known as the pacer test, is a series of stages that have different tasks sometimes used by sports coaches and trainers to estimate an athlete's VO2 max (maximum oxygen uptake). The most common variation of the multi-stage fitness test is the FitnessGram/Cooper PACER test.[1] The test is especially useful for players of sports such as rugby, association football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, hurling, hockey, netball, handball, tennis, squash, and fitness testing in schools and colleges plus many other sports; employed by many international sporting teams as an accurate test of cardiovascular fitness, one of the more important components of physical fitness. The test was created in 1982 by Luc Léger, University of Montreal[2] and published in 1983 with a starting speed of 8 km/h and stages of 2 min duration. The test was re-published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology in 1988 in its present form with a starting speed of 8.5 km/h and 1 min stages under the name "The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness".[3] Result equivalences between slightly modified versions are well explained by Tomkinson et al. in 2003.[4]

Correlated measures

VO2max = (Velocity (km/h) × 6.65 - 35.8) × 0.95 + 0.182 [5]

[METs] = VO2max / 3.5 [6]

Rules

The test involves running continuously between two points that are 20 m apart from side to side. The runs are synchronized with a pre-recorded audio tape, CD or laptop software, which plays beeps at set intervals. As the test proceeds, the interval between each successive beep decreases, forcing the athletes to increase their speed over the course of the test until it is impossible to keep in sync with the recording (or, on extremely rare occasions, until the athlete completes the test). Many people who test people using the multi-stage fitness test allow one level to beep before the person makes the line, but some middle and grade schools allow two missed laps. If the person being tested does not make the next interval, the most recent level they completed is their final score.

The recording is typically structured into 21 'levels', each lasting around 62 s. Usually, the interval of beeps is calculated as requiring a speed at the start of 8.5 km/h (see format table), increasing by 0.5 km/h with each level thereafter. The progression from one level to the next is signaled by 3 quick beeps. The highest level attained before failing to keep up is recorded as the score for that test.

Format

The original beep test was initially available on audio tape format. A problem with the tape was that it could stretch over time, or the tape player would play at inconsistent speed, making the timing between beeps inaccurate. Most versions of the tape had a one-minute recorded interval for calibrating the tape and tape player. Digital audio formats replaced the tapes, but checks were still required on the CD/player due to some tone controls possibly affecting the playback speed.

Inexpensive beep test software is now popular due to modern electronic devices having excellent and consistent timing accuracy. The software generally runs on a portable electronic computer such as a tablet, phone or laptop, making the test easy to organise for teams, and also tracks player fitness over a season. The contemporary accepted format starts at 8.5 km/h with levels of 1 minute as described in Leger's and Lambert's paper of 1988.[3]

Level Laps Cumulative
laps 		Speed
(km/h) 		Speed
(mph) 		Lap
time (s) 		Level
time (s) 		Level
distance (m) 		Cumulative
distance (m) 		Cumulative
time (mm:ss) 		Expected male age
to complete level 		Expected female age
to complete level
1 7 7 8.5 5.3 8.4763.07 140 140 1:08 7 8
2 8 15 9.0 5.6 8.00 64.00 160 300 2:12 9 10
3 8 23 9.5 5.9 7.58 60.63 160 460 3:12 10 11
4 9 32 10.0 6.2 7.20 64.80 180 640 4:17 11 12
5 9 41 10.5 6.5 6.86 61.71 180 820 5:19 12 13
6 10 51 11.0 6.8 6.55 65.45 200 1020 6:24 13 14
7 10 61 11.5 7.1 6.26 62.61 200 1220 7:27 14 16
8 11 72 12.0 7.5 6.00 66.00 220 1440 8:27 16 19
9 11 83 12.5 7.8 5.76 63.36 220 1660 9:30 17 21
10 11 94 13.0 8.1 5.54 60.92 220 1880 10:31 18 21+
11 12 106 13.5 8.4 5.33 64.00 240 2120 11:35 19
12 12 118 14.0 8.7 5.14 61.71 240 2360 12:37 21+
13 13 131 14.5 9.0 4.97 64.55 260 2620 13:42
14 13 144 15.0 9.3 4.80 62.40 260 2880 14:44
15 13 157 15.5 9.6 4.65 60.39 260 3140 15:44
16 14 171 16.0 9.9 4.50 63.00 280 3420 16:47
17 14 185 16.5 10.3 4.36 61.09 280 3700 17:48
18 15 200 17.0 10.6 4.24 63.53 300 4000 18:52
19 15 215 17.5 10.9 4.11 61.71 300 4300 19:54
20 16 231 18.0 11.2 4.00 64.00 320 4620 20:54
21 16 247 18.5 11.5 3.89 62.27 320 4940 21:56

Users

Organization Type of organization Country Minimum level attained Comments
Western Australian Rugby Union Referees Sport Australia 10.5 (Premier Grade), 9.5 (Reserve Grade)
Rugby Football referee Sport England (RFU) 10.4 for development squads, 12+ for elite referees Source:
British Army Officer Military UK 10.2 (male), 8.1 (female) Source:
Royal Air Force Military UK 9.10 (male), 7.2 (female) Source:
Royal Air Force Regiment Military UK 11.7 (male) Source:
Royal Marines Military UK 13 Marine, 15 Officer Source:
Airservices Australia Aviation rescue and fire fighting Australia 9.6 Source:
Metropolitan Fire Brigade (Melbourne) Fire/emergency response Australia 9.6 Source:
Royal Military College of Canada Military Canada 9.5 (male), 7.5 (female) Source:
Police Scotland Police UK 5.4 - 15 Metre shuttle only Source:
South Australia Police Police Australia 9.04 (male), 6.10 (female) Age 18-29. Varies by age
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Fire/emergency response Australia 8.7 Source:
Western Australia Police Police Australia 8.1 to 10.1+ (male), 6.1 to 7.1 (female) Source:
Western Australia Fire & Rescue Service Fire Australia 9.6 + Source:
Australian Army Military Australia 7.5 Preliminary Fitness Test Standard required prior to enlistment.
Australian Special Forces Military Australia 10.1 Preliminary Fitness Test Standard required prior to direct recruitment scheme.
New Zealand Defence Force Military New Zealand Navy : 7.10 Airforce : 7.10 Army : 8.8 Minimum Fitness Level. Source: 'Get Fit' Application
French Foreign Legion Military France 7 Source:
Royal Australian Navy Military Australia 6.1 Source:
Royal Australian Air Force Military Australia 6.5 Source:
Australian Federal Police Police Australia 6.5 Source:
Calgary Police Service Police Canada 7.0 Source:
Ontario Provincial Police Police Canada 7.0 Source:
Queensland Police Service Police Australia 6.3 to 9.4 (male), 5.1 to 7.5 (female) Source:
Canadian Forces Military Canada 6.0 (male), 4.0 (female) (under 35) Replaced in 2013 by FORCE Evaluation[7]
Canadian Special Operations Regiment Military Canada 9-10 for passing score, 11-12 for average score, 13+ for highest score Source: Found on page 22
English and Welsh Police Police UK and Wales 5.4 (general roles) to 10.5 Source:
Victoria Police Police Australia 5.1 (updated 23/7/2012 to new standards) All ages[8]
New South Wales Police Force Police Australia 7.1 7.1 initial entry, various specialist units have higher requirements. Source:
Paramilitary Youth Program Paramilitary Youth Program Canada Depends on age Part of the new 'Fitness and Incentive' program. Used to track improvements in fitness level. Fitness badges may be earned.
Paramilitary Youth Program Paramilitary Youth Program Canada Depends on age Part of the new 'Fitness and Incentive' program. Used to track improvements in fitness level. Fitness badges may be earned.
Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Paramilitary Youth Program Canada Depends on age Part of the new 'Fitness and Incentive' program. Used to track improvements in fitness level. Fitness badges may be earned.
Blue Bulls Rugby Referee Association Rugby referee training program South Africa 9.9 for entry-level qualification minimum level increases as a candidate move up in the ranks to ensure that a proper level of fitness is maintained
Slovenian Ice hockey referee Association Ice hockey referee training program Slovenia 9.0 for passing Part of the new Fitness program. Used to track referee fitness improvements off the ice off the season.
Swedish Army, Norrbotten Regiment I19 Mechanized Brigade Reconnaissance Sweden 9.5 for entry-level qualification Each applicant will perform the test after completing basic training

World record

The Guinness World Record for the largest group beep test is held by RAF Honington, in Honington, Suffolk where over 586 men and women took part.[9] The only ever confirmed account of someone finishing the beep test is by Australian football player Milislav Popovic. Brother of Ivana Popovic. He has a confirmed score of 21

Known issues

Like any other highly intensive physical activity, the beep test poses health risks for individuals with health issues such as asthma, anemia, and/or hypothyroidism, among other issues.

The introductory explanation of one multi-stage fitness test, the FitnessGram pacer test, has been widely spread as a meme and copypasta due to the pacer test's modern use in schools, primarily in physical education classes.[10]

"The FitnessGram™ Pacer Test is a multistage aerobic capacity test that progressively gets more difficult as it continues. The 20-meter pacer test will begin in 30 seconds. Line up at the start. The running speed starts slowly but gets faster each minute after you hear this signal. [beep] A single lap should be completed each time you hear this sound. [ding] Remember to run in a straight line, and run as long as possible. The second time you fail to complete a lap before the sound, your test is over. The test will begin on the word start. On your mark, get ready, start."

Episode 12 of the Australian children's comedy show Little Lunch is called 'The Beep Test'. The plot revolves around the school students' reactions to participating in the multi-stage fitness test.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Wood, Robert. "Beep Test Variations". Topend Sports Network. Topend Sports Network. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  2. ↑ TESTING PHYSICAL FITNESS, EUROFIT Experimental Battery PROVISIONAL HANDBOOK, STRASBOURG 1983 http://www.bitworks-engineering.co.uk/linked/eurofit%20provisional%20handbook%20leger%20beep%20test%201983.pdf
  3. 1 2 Léger, L.A.; Mercier, D.; Gadoury, C.; Lambert, J. (1988). "The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness". J Sports Sci. 6 (2): 93–101. PMID 3184250. doi:10.1080/02640418808729800.
  4. ↑ "Secular trends in the performance of children and adolescents (1980-2000): an analysis of 55 studies of the 20m shuttle run test in 11 countries.". Sports Med. 33 (4): 285–300. 2003. PMID 12688827. doi:10.2165/00007256-200333040-00003.
  5. ↑ Flouris, A D; Metsios, G S; Koutedakis, Y (2005). "Enhancing the efficacy of the 20 m multistage shuttle run test". Br J Sports Med. 39: 166–170. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2004.012500.
  6. ↑ Léger, L.; Mercier, D. (1984). "Gross energy cost of horizontal treadmill and track running.". Sports Med. 1 (4): 270–7. PMID 6390604. doi:10.2165/00007256-198401040-00003.
  7. ↑ Services, Personnel Support Programs, Assoc DG Personnel and Family Support. "About the FORCE Program". cfmws.com. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  8. ↑ http://www.police.vic.gov.au/retrievemedia.asp?Media_ID=32833
  9. ↑ Mariam Ghaemi. "Video: RAF Honington shows strength in numbers during bleep test record breaker". East Anglian Daily Times.
  10. ↑ "FitnessGram Pacer Test". memeorigins.net. 27 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  11. ↑ "Little Lunch". ABC Television. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
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