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Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which subsequent performance evaluations and decisions are made. In the analysis, we need to bear in mind the factors that may influence the results.

Objective

The objective of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT), developed by Leger & Lambert (1982)^[1], is to monitor the development of the athlete's maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂ max).

This test is perfect for games players as it is specific to the nature of the sport but, due to the short sharp turns, it is perhaps not suitable for rowers, runners or cyclists.

Required Resources

To conduct this test, you will require:

• Flat non-slip surface
• 30-metre tape measure
• Marking Cones
• The Multi-Stage Fitness Test audiotape or CD
• A tape recorder or CD Player
• Recording sheets
• Assistant

How to conduct the test

This test requires the athlete to run 20m in time with a beep from a CD recording. Creamware sound cards & media devices driver download for windows. The athlete must place one foot on or beyond the 20m marker at the end of each shuttle.

• The athlete warms up for 10 minutes
• The assistant measures out a 20-metre section and marks each end with marker cones
• The assistant starts the CD, and the athlete commences the test
• If the athlete arrives at the end of a shuttle before the beep, the athlete must wait for the beep and then resume running
• If the athlete fails to reach the end of the shuttle before the beep, they should be allowed 2 or 3 further shuttles to attempt to regain the required pace before being withdrawn
• The assistant records the level and number of shuttles completed at that level by the athlete when they are withdrawn

For an analysis of your VO₂ max score, see the VO₂ max normative data tables.

Normative data for MSFT

The following tables are adapted from Bizley et al. (2010)^[3]

Male

Female

Notes

The test is made up of 23 levels, where each level lasts approximately one minute. Each level comprises a series of 20m shuttle runs where the starting speed is 8.5km/hr and increases by 0.5km/hr at each level. On the tape/CD, a single beep indicates the end of a shuttle and three beeps indicate the next level's start.

Time

The starting speed is 8.5km/hr and increases by 0.5km/hr at each level. The time for each 20-metre section can be estimated from the following equation:

• 20m Time = 72 ÷ ( ( ( Level - 1 ) × 0.5 ) + 8.5 )

e.g. the time for 20m at level 11 is 5.33 seconds.

Shuttles

Knowing that the starting speed is 8.5km/hr and increases by 0.5km/hr at each level and the duration of each level is approximately one minute then the number of shuttles at each level can be estimated from the following equation:

• Shuttles = ( ( ( Level - 1 ) × 0.5 ) + 8.5 ) × 0.838

The result is rounded up to the nearest whole number, e.g. the number of shuttles at level 17 is 13.82, rounded up to 14 shuttles.

Analysis

Analysis of the test result is by comparing it with the athlete's previous results for this test. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement in the athlete's VO₂ max.

Target Group

This test is suitable for endurance athletes and players of endurance sports (e.g. football, rugby) but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability

Test reliability refers to the degree to which a test is consistent and stable in measuring what it is intended to measure. Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test. The following link provides various factors that may influence the results and therefore, the test reliability.

Validity

Test validity refers to the degree to which the test measures what it claims to measure and the extent to which inferences, conclusions, and decisions made based on test scores are appropriate and meaningful. This test provides a means to monitor the effect of training on the athlete's physical development. There are published VO₂ max score equivalents for each level reached, and the correlation to actual VO₂ max is high. For an assessment of your VO₂ max see the VO₂ max normative data tables.

Advantages

• Simple to set up and conduct
• More than one athlete can conduct the test at the same time
• Can be conducted indoors or outdoors

Disadvantages

• Specialist equipment required - CD & CD Player
• Assistant required to administer the test
• Due to the short sharp turns, it is perhaps not suitable for rowers, runners or cyclists

References

1. LEGER, L.A. and LAMBERT, J. (1982) A maximal multistage 20m shuttle run test to predict VO₂ max. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 49 (1), p. 1-5
2. KILDING, A.E. et al. (2006) Measuring and predicting maximal aerobic power in international-level intermittent sport athletes. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 46 (3), p. 366-72
3. BIZLEY, K. et al. (2010) BTEC First Sport Level 2, London, Harper Collins Publishers Limited, p. 303 Figure 3

Related References

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The following references provide additional information on this topic:

• GOOSEY-TOLFREY, V. L. and TOLFREY, K. (2008) The multi-stage fitness test as a predictor of endurance fitness in wheelchair athletes. Journal of sports sciences, 26 (5), p. 511-517
• STICKLAND, M. et al. (2003) Prediction of maximal aerobic power from the 20-m multi-stage shuttle run test. Canadian journal of applied physiology, 28 (2), p. 272-282

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

• MACKENZIE, B. (1999) Multi-Stage Fitness Test [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/beep.htm [Accessed

Related Pages

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The following Sports Coach pages provide additional information on this topic: