Shuttle Fitness Tests
Shuttle run tests involve repetitive running back and forth, either over the same distance, or with changing distances. Depending on the distance, duration and intensity, the shuttle run test will measure different physiological attributes, from short duration high-intensity tests measuring speed and agility, to longer and slower paced tests measuring aerobic fitness (and many in-between). The general description of shuttle run tests is outlined here, see the links to specific shuttle run tests.
purpose: depending on the distance and duration of the test, the shuttle run test will measure agility, anaerobic, aerobic fitness, or some combination of these.
usual equipment required: non-slip surface, marker cones, measurement tape, stopwatch.
pre-test: Explain the test procedures to the subject. Perform screening of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare forms and record basic information such as age, height, body weight, gender, test conditions (indoor/outdoor, surface type). Measure and mark out the test area. Perform an appropriate warm-up, including running at increasing speeds and incorporating turns. See more details of pre-test procedures.
procedure: Shuttle run tests require the participant to run back and forth between two lines or markers, at a particular pace or as quick as possible. Some tests use a set distance to shuttle between, others may use a ladder shuttle, in which the shuttle distance changes with each run.
scoring: For the shorter (non-fatiguing tests), two or more trails may be performed, and the quickest time is recorded. Results are recorded to the nearest tenth of a second.
variations / modifications: The test procedure can be varied by changing the number of shuttles performed, the distance between turns, and the amount of rest between shuttles.
advantages: this test can be conducted on large groups relatively quickly with minimal equipment required.
comments: make sure that the participants run the complete distance by placing a foot at or over the line at each turn.
Examples
- Agility Shuttle Tests, such as the pro-agility 20-yard shuttle test, the NFL test where the participants run five yards to the side then runs 10 yards back the other way, then 5 yards back to the starting point. See more.
- Anaerobic Shuttle Tests, such as the 60 Yard Shuttle Test, where participants run to 5 yards, 10 yards, 15 yards, there and back, for a total of 60 yards. See more.
- Aerobic Shuttle Tests, like the popular Beep Test (Multi-Stage Shuttle Run Test) — continuous 20m shuttles of increasing speed, until exhaustion. See more.
Related Pages
- Sub-types of shuttle tests: Agility Shuttle Tests, Anaerobic Shuttle Tests, and Aerobic Shuttle Tests
- agility, aerobic and anaerobic fitness tests.
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