Fitness Testing
Fitness Testing > Tests > Speed & Power > Sprint or Speed > 60 Meters
60 Meter Speed
Sprint or speed tests can be performed over varying distances, depending on the factors being tested and the relevance to the sport. The 60 Meter Sprint is part of the eTID Talent Identification Testing Program for Track and Field, and their protocol is listed here.
- purpose: The aim of this test is to determine acceleration and speed.
- equipment required: measuring tape or marked running track, stopwatch, cone markers, level, firm, straight and clear surface of at least 80 meters.
- procedure: The test involves running a single maximum sprint over 60 meters, with the time recorded. A thorough warm up should be given, including some practice starts and accelerations. Start from a stationary position, with one foot in front of the other. The front foot must be on the starting line. This starting position should be held for about 2 seconds prior to starting, and no rocking movements are allowed. The tester should provide hints for maximizing speed (such as keeping low, driving hard with the arms and legs) and encouragment to continue running maximally through the finish line. The person timing should stand at the finish line with one arm held high, call ‘ready’ then sweep down their arm quickly to start the subject (do not call ‘go’ due to the time delay in the subject hearing it). As the arm sweeps down, the tester should start the stopwatch which is held in the downward sweeping arm, and finish the stopwatch as their chest passes through the finish line.
- results: Three trials are allowed, and the best time is recorded to the nearest two decimal places.
- target population: sprint athletes and other sports in which speed over a similar distance is important.
- reliability: weather conditions and running surface can affect the results, and these conditions should be recorded with the results. If possible, set up the track with a crosswind to minimize the effect of wind, and if running on grass wait until the surface is dry.
- comments: this description is for a sprint test that can be conducted by the athlete themselves. Sprint testing may also be done using timing gates which enable more accurate results to be collected. See the general sprint testing procedure.
Related Pages
- general information about Sprint or Speed Testing
- training for speed
- about the eTID Talent Identification Testing Program.
- eTID Fitness Testing for Athletics
- warming up for sprint testing
- other anaerobic tests and about anaerobic testing
- All about timing gates
- Sprint Test Results
- World Records for Speed tests
