Williams Swimming Beep Test
This test is a variation on the running beep test. There is a similar water-based beep test, the swimming beep test and the Shuttle Swim Test for water polo players. This swimming beep type test was created by Graham Williams, an English ironman swim coach, and found described on the SwimClub.co.uk Forums.
purpose: To test the aerobic fitness of swimmers
equipment required: you need a 12.5m width pool, and you have to make your own audio recording of the bleeps. You can create your own using the team beeptest software if you know the speeds required.
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. See more details of pre-test procedures.
procedure: This test is based on a 1500m swim. The 1500 is broken down into 15 x 100, each 100 is then broken down into 8 x 12.5m swims. The speed level changes after each 100m. The first 3 x 100m has been set at a very slow rate, to be used as a warm up and getting used to the test. The time between beeps reduces as you go along. The final 100m (level 15) is at close to world record pace.
scoring: The swimmer's score is the level and number of laps reached before they were unable to keep up with the recording.
results: If you are able to get in contact with Graham Williams you may be able to get the timing for each level and maybe some performance results (and let me know too!).
target population: this is a test of aerobic fitness for swimmers. The test is suitable for all ages and fitness levels (male and female).
advantages: The test allows a whole team to have their aerobic fitness effectively assessed using minimal time and pool space.
disadvantages: As with the running beep test, practice and motivation levels can influence the score attained, and the scoring can be subjective.
reference: The test described here is as listed on the SwimClub.co.uk Forums in 2003, posted by Graham Williams, English ironman swim coach.
comments:
- You can create your own Williams Swimming Beep Test using the team beeptest software, if you know the timings for each shuttle.
- A swimming beep test has been used at the Rossington Swimming Club in the UK, maybe the same one?
Similar Tests
- Swimming Beep Test — conducted in a 25m pool, starting at a speed of 1 m/sec and increasing by 0.05 m/sec every two minutes
- 10 meter Multistage Shuttle Swim Test (MSST) — designed for water polo players, conducted between lane ropes set up 10m apart. The one minute levels start at 0.9 m/s, and increase by 0.05 m/sec every level.
- Water polo intermittent shuttle (WIST) test — based on the yo-yo test, involving out-and-back 7.5-meter swim shuttles interspersed with ten seconds of active recovery.
- Swim 12-minute test — swim for maximum distance in 12 minutes
Related Pages
- About swimming endurance tests
- List of Fitness Tests involving Swimming
- List of Fitness Tests for Swimmers
- Fitness Testing protocols for swimmers
- More Modified Beep Tests
- The complete guide to the beep test for links to more information.
- Beep test variations
- Team BeepTest software
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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