Multi-stage fitness test

The multi-stage fitness test, also known as the bleep test, beep test, pacer test, Leger-test or 20-m shuttle run test, is used by sports coaches and trainers to estimate an athlete's VO₂ max (maximum oxygen uptake). The test is especially useful for players of sports like rugby, soccer, Australian rules football, 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 all-important "Components of Fitness". The test was created by Luc Leger, University of Montreal published in 1983, "A Maximal Multistage 20m Shuttle Run Test to predict VO₂ Max", and was re-published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology (vol 49 pp 1–12) in 1988 in its present form with 1 min stages under the name "Multistage 20-m shuttle run test for aerobic fitness". Result equivalences between slightly modified versions are well explained by Tomkinson et al. in 2003.

Rules

The test involves running continuously between two points that are 20 m apart from side to side. These 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 reduces, forcing the athlete to increase their speed over the course of the test, until it is impossible to keep in sync with the recording (or, in rare occasions, if 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 if the person being tested does not make the next interval then the most recent level they completed is their final score. The recording is typically structured into 21 'levels', each of which lasts around 62 seconds. Usually, the interval of beeps is calculated as requiring a speed at the start of 8.5 km/h, 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.

Uses

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 :http://www.rfu.com/takingpart/referee/becomingaref
British Army	Military	UK	10.2 (male), 8.1 (female)	Source: http://www.army.mod.uk/join/20153.aspx
Royal Air Force	Military	UK	variable	Source: http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/canijoin/fitness.cfm
Royal Marines	Military	UK	11	Source: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Careers/How-To-Join/Interviews-and-Tests/Potential-Royal-Marines-Course
Airservices Australia	Aviation rescue and fire fighting	Australia	9.6	Source: http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/careers/aviation-rescue-and-fire-fighting/recruitment-and-selection-process/
Metropolitan Fire Brigade (Melbourne)	Fire/emergency response	Australia	9.6	Source: http://www.mfb.vic.gov.au/Recruitment/Selection-Process/7-Physical-fitness-and-firefighting-aptitude-test.html
Fire and Rescue NSW	Fire/emergency response	Australia	9.6 (Permanents) 8.7 (Retained/Part Timers)	Source: http://fire.nsw.gov.au/gallery/files/pdf/recruitment/PAT_applicant_preparation_guide.pdf
Royal Military College of Canada	Military	Canada	9.5 (male), 7.5 (female)	One of five minimum requirements of the Physical Performance Test (PPT)
Scottish Police	Police	UK	9.2 (male), 7.3 (female) (aged 18-29) - 15 Metre shuttle only	Source: http://www.acpos.police.uk/Documents/Policies/P&T_Fitness-Recruitment%20Guide_010907.pdf
South Australia Police	Police	Australia	9.04 (male), 6.10 (female)	Age 18-29. Varies by age (http://www.achievemore.com.au/officer/files/physical%20tests.pdf)
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service	Fire/emergency response	Australia	8.7	Source: http://www.fire.qld.gov.au/employment/pdf/Bk%204-assessments%20and%20medical%20standards%20June%202009.pdf
Western Australia Police	Police	Australia	8.1 to 10.1+ (male), 6.1 to 7.1 (female)	Source: http://www.stepforward.wa.gov.au/images/stories/pdf/recruit_physical.pdf
Australian Army	Military	Australia	7.5	Preliminary Fitness Test Standard required prior to enlistment.[1]
Royal New Zealand Navy	Military	New Zealand	7.1	Minimum Fitness Level. Source: http://www.navy.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/careers/navyfitnessrequirements.pdf
French Foreign Legion	Military	France	7	Source: http://www.legion-recrute.com/en/tests_sportifs.php
Royal Australian Navy	Military	Australia	6.9 to 7.4	Source: http://www.navy.gov.au/Recruit_School_-_Fitness
Royal Australian Air Force	Military	Australia	6.5	Source: http://content.defencejobs.gov.au/pdf/triservice/DFT_Brochure_Fitness.pdf
Ontario Provincial Police	Police	Canada	6.5
Queensland Police Service	Police	Australia	6.3 to 9.4 (male), 5.1 to 7.5 (female)	Source: http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/join/documents/Health%20Screening%20and%20Physical%20Skills%20Education%20Brochure.pdf
Canadian Forces	Military	Canada	6.0 (male), 4.0 (female) (under 35)	Varies by military occupation and specialty. Source: http://www.cflrs.forces.gc.ca/menu/ps/rec/ec-pf/index-eng.asp
English and Welsh Police	Police	UK	5.4 to 10.5	General roles. Source: http://www.npia.police.uk/en/17116.htm. Specialist roles. Source: http://www.npia.police.uk/en/16305.htm
Victoria Police	Police	Australia	5.1 (updated 23/7/2012 to new standards)	All ages
New South Wales Police Force	Police	Australia	5.1 (7.1 for Rejoinees and Police Professional Mobility applicants)	Source: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/recruitment/am_i_fit_enough/physical_capacity_testing/current_physical_capacity_testing_standards
Royal Canadian Air 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.
Royal Canadian Army 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.
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.

Format

The original beep test was first only available on audio tape format. A problem with the tape was that it could stretch over time, or the tape player did not play at a consistent speed, therefore making the timing between beeps inaccurate. On most versions of the tape there was a one minute recorded interval for calibrating the tape and tape player. Digital audio formats are now used predominantly. Calibration checks are still required on the CD/MP3 due to some tone controls affecting the playback speed.

Inexpensive PC Beep Test Software is very popular with the advantage of no timing errors/accurate to 1/100th of a second, as used by the top team coaches. This generally runs on a Laptop, making the beep/bleep test easier to organise for teams/groups and also tracks player fitness over the season.

Calculations

These calculations were updated 17th Aug 2009 and are based on the official Leger and Lambert "A Maximal Multi-Stage 20m Shuttle Run Test to predict VO₂ Max".

Level	Shuttles	Cumulative Shuttles	Speed (km/h)	Shuttle Time (seconds)	Total level time (s)	Distance (m)	Cumulative Distance (m)	Cumulative Time (min and seconds)
1	7	7	8.0	9.00	63.00	140	140	1:03
2	8	15	9.0	8.00	64.00	160	300	2:07
3	8	23	9.5	7.58	60.63	160	460	3:08
4	9	32	10.0	7.20	64.80	180	640	4:12
5	9	41	10.5	6.86	61.71	180	820	5:14
6	10	51	11.0	6.55	65.50	200	1020	6:20
7	10	61	11.5	6.26	62.61	200	1220	7:22
8	11	72	12.0	6.00	66.00	220	1440	8:28
9	11	83	12.5	5.76	63.36	220	1660	9:31
10	11	94	13.0	5.54	60.92	220	1880	10:32
11	12	106	13.5	5.33	64.00	240	2120	11:36
12	12	118	14.0	5.14	61.71	240	2360	12:38
13	13	131	14.5	4.97	64.55	260	2620	13:43
14	13	144	15.0	4.80	62.40	260	2880	14:45
15	13	157	15.5	4.65	60.39	260	3140	15:46
16	14	171	16.0	4.50	63.00	280	3420	16:49
17	14	185	16.5	4.36	61.09	280	3700	17:50
18	15	200	17.0	4.24	63.53	300	4000	18:54
19	15	215	17.5	4.11	61.71	300	4300	19:56
20	16	231	18.0	4.00	64.00	320	4620	21:00
21	16	247	18.6	3.89	62.27	320	4940	22:03

See also

• 20 meter pacer test
• Harvard Step Test, a cardiovascular test
• Physical Fitness Test

External links

• Complete Guide to the Beep Test - TopEndSports.com
• Background information on the Beep Test - Rugbycoach.com