Yo-Yo Test Norms
There are several Yo-Yo Test variations, and each requires different standards for comparison. There is The Yo-Yo endurance test (like the beep test), and the Yo-Yo Intermittent tests which have short active breaks (5 and 10 seconds for the intermittent endurance and intermittent recovery test, respectively). I am not aware of any published tables of expected scores or 'norms' for any of these test, so I have created some using known test results from a range of people of varying fitness levels. As the Yo-Yo Endurance Test is essentially the same as the standard beep test, the beep test norms can be used.
The following norm tables are not based on any specific research, the ratings were created using data from various sources and should therefore be used as a guide only. Any feedback is welcome. The table has both total distance and level, which are just different ways of reporting the same result. See the Yo-Yo Intermittent Levels page for details of using distances and levels to record results.
Table: Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 norms for adult men and women
| males | females | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rating | meters | level | meters | level |
| elite | > 2400 | > 20.1 | > 1600 | > 17.5 |
| excellent | 2000-2400 | 18.7-20.1 | 1320-1600 | 16.6-17.5 |
| good | 1520-1960 | 17.3-18.6 | 1000-1280 | 15.6-16.5 |
| average | 1040-1480 | 15.7-17.2 | 680-960 | 14.6-15.5 |
| below average | 520-1000 | 14.2-15.6 | 320-640 | 13.1-14.5 |
| very poor | < 520 | < 14.2 | < 320 | < 13.1 |
Table: Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 norms for adult men and women
| males | females | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rating | meters | level | meters | level |
| elite | > 1280 | > 22.5 | > 800 | > 21.1 |
| excellent | 1000-1280 | 21.6-22.5 | 720-800 | 20.7-21.1 |
| good | 720-1000 | 20.7-21.6 | 480-720 | 20.1-20.7 |
| average | 480-720 | 20.1-20.7 | 360-480 | 19.2-20.1 |
| below average | 280-480 | 18.3-20.1 | 160-360 | 17.2-19.2 |
| very poor | < 280 | < 18.3 | < 160 | < 17.2 |
Source
We have created the above norm tables using as an initial guide the VO2max norm table, and substituting the data into a formula for estimating VO2max from the Yo-Yo IR1 and IR2 test results (Bangsbo et al. 2008), as well as adjusting the norms based on test results from a range of athletes from the same paper and other known yo-yo test results.
Reference
- Jens Bangsbo, F. Marcello Iaia and Peter Krustrup, (2008) The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test: A Useful Tool for Evaluation of Physical Performance in Intermittent Sports, Sports Medicine 2008; 38 (1): 37-51.
Related Pages
- Procedures for the Yo-Yo Endurance aerobic fitness test, and the Yo-Yo Intermittent aerobic fitness test.
- Some Yo-Yo Test Results.
- Guide to buying the yo-yo test.
- See video Yo-Yo test examples
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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