Consequently, the body has to switch to anaerobic metabolism. The Anaerobic Threshold is the point during intense exercises where the athlete’s body can no longer rely on aerobic metabolism to meet the increasing energy demands. You’re probably asking, what is an anaerobic threshold and VO2 max? Initially developed by Luc Leger of the University of Montreal in 1983, the shuttle run fitness test determines an individual’s anaerobic threshold by calculating their aerobic capacity (VO2 max). This forces you to run faster and faster until you’re unable to continue. As you move across the levels, the interval between the beeps keeps reducing by a few seconds making the test progressively harder. The primary idea of this test is to ensure that your runs are synced with the beep for as long as possible. A beep initiates each run from a device playing a pre-recorded sequence.

The Beep Test is a multi-stage fitness test that involves repeating a series of shuttle runs between two points 20 meters away from each other. Most coaches, trainers, and professional athletes also use this as a change-over-time measure to help track cardio fitness improvement. However, even if you’re not trying to qualify for any spot, this running beep test offers a great way to check your fitness level by estimating your maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max). Wherever the beep test is a prerequisite, you’ll need to portray a high anaerobic threshold to stand a better chance of being considered. It’s also common in most high schools, colleges, and university sports that require a high level of cardiovascular endurance, such as football, soccer, handball, rugby, hockey, basketball, and netball, among others. This test is famous among several institutions such as the US Army, US Navy, US police force, and fire brigade. But it also goes by several other names, including bleep test, pacer beep test, 20-meter shuttle run, and shuttle run test. This test is formally referred to as the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (aka MSFT). The beep test is a popular fitness assessment tool in most disciplines and organizations around the world. Use the beep test calculator to get a fitness rating.Full Beep Test Guide - What is it and Who Needs it?.Beep Test sports results - top scores from many athletes.Beep Test standards - minimum scores for sports.The results are presented as the level number followed by the number of shuttles (see the beep tables).

Source: The table was adapted from Topend Sports ().

Beep test measurements