Modified Versions of the Beep Test

The beep test is a 20-meter multi-stage shuttle run test, first described in 1982 (Léger & Lambert, 1982). The standard test has changed very little since then, with some variation of the speed at the starting level (see beep test variations), however, there are many examples of the test being modified to suit different populations groups and different exercise modalities.

Modified Beep Test Distance

Although the timing of the test may be similar, there are versions of the test which use 15 meters between lines (15m Bleep test, 15m PACER test as used by FitnessGram and Brockport) or 40 meters (Birtwell Test) compared to the usual 20 meters, and in the USA the imperial measurement equivalent 22 yards (20.117 meters) is sometimes used. There is a conversion chart to convert scores on the 15m PACER to a 20m score to enter in the FitnessGram software.

Modified Shuttles

• VAMEVAL Test — running around a track at increasing speeds
• University of Montreal Track Test — the original beep test, though run continuously around a track.

Modified Exercise Mode

• Multistage Shuttle Swim Test and Intermittent Shuttle Test — for water polo players.
• Swimming Beep Test — for swimmers there is also the Williams swim beep test.
• Rowing Beep Test — an incremental test performed on a rowing ergometer
• Multistage field test — for wheelchair users.
• Beep Test on Ice — a modified version of the standard 20m beep shuttle test, adapted for hockey players and conducted on ice.
• Treadmill Beep Test — how to replicate the running beep test on a treadmill.

Group Specific Beep Tests

The principles of the running beep test have been used to develop versions of the test for determining the aerobic fitness of athletes in other sports, specific populations and for other modalities.

• Beep Test for the Blind — modification of the test to suit vision-impaired athletes.
• Modified Beep Test — designed for the specific demands of Rugby League referees.
• 10m Beep Test — designed for children with cerebral palsy (CP).
• 10m Incremental Shuttle Walk Test — for people with COPD.
• Walk Test — for the elderly with the participants walking around a rectangle in time to the beeps rather than having sharp turns.

Beep Type Intermittent Tests

• Yo-Yo intermittent tests — beep-type shuttle test with rest periods to simulate the demands of some field team sports.
• Dynamic Yo-Yo Test — an incremental fitness test designed to assess the aerobic fitness of soccer referees
• 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test / Interval Shuttle Run Test — 40m shuttles with a 30:15 second work:rest ratio.
• Gacon Test (Running 45"/15") — like the 30-15 intermittent test, though running for 45 seconds on an oval track.
• Andersen Test — 15 seconds run / 15 second rest while running a 20m course out and back.
• Assistant Referee Intermittent Endurance Test (ARIET) — an intermittent yo-yo type test involving forwards and sideways running created specifically for football assistant referees

Other Modified Versions

John Miller has developed a variation of this type of test, combining the beep test with a set time distance run. The test is compact, being conducted in a 20m area, and can be completed in just 5 minutes. See more on the Miller 20m Run.

Make Your Own

You can create your own variation of the beep test using the team beeptest software. Shuttle distance, running speed, and shuttles per level can all be adjusted to modify the test in any way you wish.

References (see References for the Beep Testmore)

• Léger, L.A. and Lambert, J., 1982, 'A maximal multistage 20m shuttle run test to predict VO_2max', European Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 49, p1-5.
• Léger, L.A., Lambert, J., Goulet, A., Rowan, C., & Dinelle, Y. (1984). Capacité aérobie des Québécois de 6 à 17 ans — test navette de 20 mètres avec paliers de 1 minute. Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences, 9(2), 64-69.
• Riddoch CJ. (1990) The Northern Ireland health and fitness survey -1989: the fitness, physical activity, attitudes and lifestyles of Northern Ireland post-primary schoolchildren. Belfast: The Queen’s University of Belfast.
• Tomkinson, G.R., Léger, L.A., Olds, T.S., & Cazorla, G. (2003). Secular trends in the performance of children and adolescents (1980–2000): An analysis of 55 studies of the 20 m shuttle run in 11 countries. Sports Medicine, 33, 285–300.