20m multistage shuttle run test/Beep test

Originally (10) - see references below, the test consisted of continuous running back and forth between two lines 20 meters apart from each other within a given time. The time was shortened every 2 minutes, which therefore increased the running speed. Players had to run until their volitional limit at which they were not able to keep up with the running speed.

For some reason, many of the most recent 20m multistage shuttle run test/Beep test differ little bit from the described original. The British National Coaching Foundation, the Australian Coaching Council and sources from Ireland utilize slight different versions (3, 17).

The British and Australian version starts at 8 km/h for stage one, increases the speed by 1 km/h for level two after one minute (therefore 9 km/h for level two) and thereafter every stage (and therefore after ~1 minute) increases its speed by 0.5 km/h. Due to the increasing speed a higher amount of shuttles need to be performed within each stage.

The existing iphone application seems to utilize the version from Ireland, starting at 8.0 km/hr and increasing by 0.5 km/hr for each one minute stage. There are different android applications, however, the ones we have seen, directly show the levels/shuttles, duration per stage and speed in the respective level/shuttle.

The following table (click to enlarge) details the British and Australian 20m multistage shuttle run test/Beep test version and can be used as guide to plan (and analyze) testing (data). Note. The test in the Eurofit Provisional Handbook seems to be the same test, however, the increase in speed is 0.14 m/s throughout all stages (while the British and the Australian one increases 0.28 m/s for the first stage).

As shown in the figure above, a 20 meter distance need to be setup on the football pitch. All players will line up besides each other and depending on the number of player tested, the width of the test should be setup accordingly We believe that a 1-1.5m width per player is sufficient to run and turn. All players will be tested at the same time, following the speed given by an acoustic signal.

Therefore, equipment needed to use this test is:

• a couple of cones
• measurement tape to measure the 20 m distance
• a sound system
• the audio file and
• a recording sheet.

The final score for a player is the last shuttle in a specific level after failing to reach a line for two successive shuttles (2).

It is possible to predict the VO2max from a 20m multistage shuttle run test/Beep test.

Generally, there are multiple equations (1, 2, 4, 7-9, 13-16) to calculate VO2max from the 20m multistage shuttle run test/Beep test. However, we suggest to use two equations (8, 13) due to the reasons:
 

• Ramsbotton et al. (13) used adults (who are physically active) showing a wide range of VO2max and
• Flouris et al. (8) measured cardiorespiratory variables directly via portable spirometry whilst performing the 20m multistage shuttle run test/Beep test.

The 20m multistage shuttle run/Beep test was used in professional (7), semi-professional (12), amateur (2) adult as well as youth (3, 5) football players.

The equation of Ramsbotton et al. (13) was further used in professional (7), semi-professional (12) and amateur (2) footballers.

The 20m multistage shuttle run/beep test was correlated with:

• an incremental treadmill test (r = 0.86) (3)
• match performance parameters (high-intensity running r = 0.62, sprinting r = 0.70 and total distance covered r = 0.70) in national youth football players (5)
• the YoYo intermittent endurance test level 1 (YYIET level 1) (r = 0.92) (3)
• the Hoff test (r = 0.49), however not with the Bangsbo test (12)

Furthermore it was reported that there was no significant differences between the 20m multistage shuttle run test and a laboratory treadmill test in estimated VO2max and the YYIET level 1 (2).

References

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in comparison to laboratory exercise testing in moderately trained subjects. Int. J. Sports. Med. 13(3): 243-248, 1992.

2. Alemdaroglu, U., et al. Evaluation of aerobic capacity in soccer players: Comparison of field and

laboratory tests. Biol. Sport. 29(2): 157-161, 2012.

3. Aziz, A. R., H. Y. Frankie and C. T. Kong. A pilot study comparing two field tests with the treadmill run

test in soccer players. J. Sci. Med. Sport. 4: 105-112, 2005.

4. Boreham, C. A., V. J. Paliczka and A. K. Nichols. A comparison of the PWC170 and 20-MST tests of

aerobic fitness in adolescent schoolchildren. J. Sports. Med. Phys. Fitness. 30(1): 19-23, 1990.

5. Castagna, C., et al. Relationship between endurance field tests and mach performance in young soccer

players. J. Strength. Cond. Res. 24(12(; 3227-3333, 2010.

6. Chatterjee, P., et al. A regression equation to predict VO2max of young football players of Nepal.

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division soccer players. J. Sports. Sci. 10(6): 541-547, 1992.

8. Flouris, A. D., G. S. Metsios and Y. Koutedakis. Enhancing the efficacy of the 20 m multistage shuttle run

test. Br. J. Sports. Med. 39(3): 166-170, 2005.

9. Grant, S., et al. A comparison of methods of predicting maximum oxygen uptake. Br J Sports Med.

29(3): 147-152, 1995.

10. Leger, L. and J. Lambert. A maximal 20-m shuttle run test to predict VO2max. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol.

49: 1-12, 1982.

11. Leger, L. A., et al. The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness. J. Sports. Sci. 6(2):

93-101, 1988.

12. Nassis, G. P., et al. Relationship between the 20-m multistage shuttle run test and 2 soccer-specific field

tests for the assessment of aerobic fitness in adult semi-professional soccer players. J. Strength. Cond. Res. 24(10): 2693-2697, 2010.

13. Ramsbottom, R., J. Brewer and C. Williams. A progressive shuttle run test to estimate maximal oxygen

uptake. Br. J. Sports. Med. 22(4): 141-4, 1988.

14. Reiman, M. P. and R. C. Manske, Functional Testing in Human Performance. 2009, Champaign, IL:

Human Kinetics.

15. St. Clair Gibson, A., et al. Prediction of maximal oxygen uptake from a 20-m shuttle run as measured

directly in runners and squash players. J. Sports Sci. 16(4): 331-335, 1998.

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multi-stage shuttle run test. Can. J. Appl. Physiol. 28(2): 272-282, 2003.

17. Tomkinson, G. R., et al. 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.