Fitness Testing

Phosphate Recovery Test

purpose: this is a test of anaerobic capacity, the ability to recover between sprints and produce the same level of power repeatedly.
equipment required: stopwatch, measuring tape, marker cones, at least 60 meter track.
description / procedure: This test involves seven flat-out sprints, each lasting seven seconds, with 23 seconds recovery. Marker cones are placed two meters apart for the first 20 meters. At forty meters from the first cone, cones would again be placed two meters apart to 60 meters (see diagram). The subjects set themselves at the first cone (Start 1). On the command "go", each subject would sprints 'all out' for seven seconds. At seven seconds, "time" is called and an observer would note at what cone the subject had just past. The subject then has a 23 second passive recovery (walk/jog) period before the next sprint. For the second sprint subjects would set themselves at the last cone (Start 2), facing back along the cones. At 30 seconds after the start of their first sprint, they would sprint again for seven seconds in the direction they had come. Again "time " is called at 7 seconds, and the distance run recorded. This is repeated for a total of seven sprints.

scoring: The drop off distance is calculated by subtracting the distance covered in the last sprint by the distance covered in the first sprint. It is expected that the last sprint would cover less distance than the other sprints due to fatigue.

target population: suitable for athletes involved in many multi-sprint sports such as basketball, hockey, rugby, soccer, AFL.
references:
- Dawson, B., Ackland, T., Roberts, C., & Lawrence, S (1991) Repeated effort testing:
  The phosphate recovery test revisited. Sports Coach 14(2): 12-17
- Dawson, B.; Ackland, T.; Roberts, C. Kirby, R.F. (1991). Phosphate Recovery Test [Power Test of the Legs/Lower Body - Running Test]. (1984). IN: Kirby’s guide to fitness and motor performance tests. BenOak Pub. Co. Cape Girardeau, MO. Page(s): 370-371.