The Beep Test is
considered to be one of the toughest (if not the toughest) fitness test
around. The test is commonly used for athletes to asses their condition
and it is also one of the main fitness tests to join the armed forces
and firefighters. In this article I would like to give some hints and
tips on how to beat the much feared beep test. ::READMORE::
The 1999
edition of the BAALPE publication 'Safe Practice in Physical Education'
includes specific reference to the multistage fitness test in chapter 14
on Health Related Exercise. In light of the apparent popularity of this
particular test in secondary schools and the risks associated with its
implementation, the authors of this article consider it appropriate to
provide further advice. ::READ
MORE::
The beep test,
also known as the bleep test, multi-stage fitness test, or
shuttle run test, is used by sports coaches and trainers to estimate
an athlete's maximum oxygen uptake better known as VO2 Max. The
beep test is especially useful for players of sports like football,
hockey, or rugby. The beep test involves running continuously between
two points that are 20 meters apart (also found in 15 meters). These runs are synchronised with a
pre-recorded audio tape, CD or laptop which plays beeps at set
intervals. As the beep test proceeds, the interval between each
successive beep reduces, forcing the athlete to increase velocity over
the course of the beep test, until it is impossible to keep in sync with
the recording.
::READ MORE::
The beep test
involves continuous running between two lines 20m apart in time to
recorded beeps. The time between recorded beeps decrease each minute
(level). There are several versions of the beep test, but one commonly
used version has an initial running velocity of 8.5 km/hr, which
increases by 0.5 km/hr each minute.::READ MORE::
Beep tests are very
popular for pre-season and in-season fitness assessments for athletes.
The minimal equipment and space requirements make the Beep Tests very
attractive. The interval runs that are part of a beep test prove very
challenging for even elite players in top condition. Better still, the
beep tests provide a very good spread in results, separating athletes
into many levels of fitness, providing the coach with a realistic,
quantitative, assessment of individual and team fitness.
Facts
English Football star
David Beckham and American Cycling Legend, Lance Armstrong are two of the
very few people who can complete the beep test.
At lower speeds/ levels,
athletes might be laughing or complaining about the ease of the test. However,
things get quiet tough at about Speed 9, and by Speed 11 to 13, people are
dropping out.
Quote
"When a team gets told it
is doing the beep test it usually strikes fear into everyone - even at
international level"
James Kirtely - Cricketer