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Multi-Stage Fitness Test

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TOPICS

Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which
subsequent performance evaluations and decisions are made but in the
analysis we need to bear in mind the factors that may influence the results.

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Objective

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The objective of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT), developed by Leger &
[1]
Lambert (1982) , is to monitor the development of the athlete's maximum
oxygen uptake (VO2 max).
This test is very good for games players as it is specific to the nature of the
sport but, due to the short sharp turns, it is perhaps not suitable for rowers,
runners or cyclists.

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To undertake this test you will require:

Flat non-slip surface

30 metre tape measure
Marking cones
The Multi-Stage Fitness Test audio tape or CD
Tape recorder or CD Player
Recording sheets
Assistant

Howtoconductthetest
This test requires the athlete to run 20m in time with a beep from a CD
recording. The athlete must place one foot on or beyond the 20m marker at
the end of each shuttle.
The athlete warms up for 10 minutes
The assistant measure out a 20 metre section and marks each end with
marker cones
The assistant starts the CD and the athlete commences the test
If the athlete arrives at the end of a shuttle before the beep, the athlete
must wait for the beep and then resume running
If the athlete fails to reach the end of the shuttle before the beep they
should be allowed 2 or 3 further shuttles to attempt to regain the
required pace before being withdrawn
The assistant records the level and number of shuttles completed at
that level by the athlete when they are withdrawn

Assessment
The athlete's maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) can be determined from the
MSF Table using the Level and Shuttle achieved.

The calculator below will provide you with an estimate of your VO2 max.
Please note that, when compared to the MSF Table values, the calculator
result can be in error by up to 0.3 mls/kg/min.
Enter the Level and Shuttle you achieved in the MSF test and then select the
'Calculate' button.
Level
1
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Shuttle
1

Calculate

VO2
max

mL/kg/min
( 0.3)

EliteMaleAthletes
The following equation, to calculate VO2 max using the MSFT, was determined
[2]
by Kilding et al. (2006) in their research with 26 elite, male, intermittent
sport athletes.
VO2 max (mL/kg/min) = 0.38 x total number of shuttles completed +
25.98
Level
1

Shuttle
1

Calculate

VO2
max

mL/kg/min
( 0.3)

For an analysis of your VO2 max score see the VO2 max normative data tables.

NormativedataforMSFT
[3]

The following tables are adapted from Bizley et all (2010)

Male
Age

Excellent Above Average Average Below Average

Poor

14 - 16

L12 S7

L11 S2

L8 S9

L7 S1

< L6 S6

17 - 20

L12 S12

L11 S6

L9 S2

L7 S6

< L7 S3

21 - 30

L12 S12

L11 S7

L9 S3

L7 S8

< L7 S5

31 - 40

L11 S7

L10 S4

L6 S10

L6 S7

< L6 S4

41 - 50

L10 S4

L9 S4

L6 S9

L5 S9

< L5 S2

Female
Age

Excellent Above Average Average Below Average

Poor

14 - 16

L10 S9

L9 S1

L6 S7

L5 S1

< L4 S7

17 - 20

L10 S11

L9 S3

L6 S8

L5 S2

< L4 S9

21 - 30

L10 S8

L9 S2

L6 S6

L5 S1

< L4 S9

31 - 40

L10 S4

L8 S7

L6 S3

L4 S6

< L4 S5

41 - 50

L9 S9

L7 S2

L5 S7

L4 S2

< L4 S1

Notes
The test is made up of 23 levels where each level lasts approximately one
minute. Each level comprises of a series of 20m shuttle runs where the
starting speed is 8.5km/hr and increases by 0.5km/hr at each level. On the
tape/CD a single beep indicates the end of a shuttle and 3 beeps indicates the
start of the next level.

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Time
Knowing that the starting speed is 8.5km/hr and increases by 0.5km/hr at
each level then the time for each 20 metre section, at each level, can be
estimated from the following equation:
20m Time = 72 ( ( ( Level - 1 ) 0.5 ) + 8.5 )
e.g. the time for 20m at level 11 is 5.33 seconds.

Shuttles
Knowing that the starting speed is 8.5km/hr and increases by 0.5km/hr at
each level and the duration of each level is approximately one minute then the
number of shuttles at each level, can be estimated from the following
equation:
Shuttles = ( ( ( Level - 1 ) 0.5 ) + 8.5 ) 0.838
The result is rounded up to the nearest whole number e.g. the number of
shuttles at level 17 is 13.82 which is rounded up to 14 shuttles.

Analysis
Analysis of the test result is by comparing it with the athlete's previous results
for this test. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test,
the analysis would indicate an improvement in the athlete's VO2 max.

TargetGroup
This test is suitable for endurance athletes and players of endurance sports
(e.g. football, rugby) but not for individuals where the test would be
contraindicated.

Reliability
Test reliability refers to the degree to which a test is consistent and stable in
measuring what it is intended to measure. Reliability will depend upon how
strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform
the test. The following link provides a variety of factors that may influence the
results and therefore the test reliability.

Validity
Test validity refers to the degree to which the test actually measures what it
claims to measure and the extent to which inferences, conclusions, and
decisions made on the basis of test scores are appropriate and meaningful.
This test provides a means to monitor the effect of training on the athlete's
physical development. There are published VO2 max score equivalents for
each level reached and the correlation to actual VO2 max is high. For an
assessment of your VO2 max see the VO2 max normative data tables.

Advantages
Simple to set up and conduct
More than one athlete can conduct the test at the same time
Can be conducted indoors or outdoors

Disadvantages
Specialist equipment required - CD & CD Player
Assistant required to administer the test
Due to the short sharp turns, it is perhaps not suitable for rowers,
runners or cyclists

FreeCalculator
MultiStage Fitness Test Calculator - a free Microsoft
Excel spreadsheet which you can download and use
on your computer. The spreadsheet will be loaded
into a new window.

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Information on the number of laps, distances, times, speed

and VO2 max are provided for each shuttle in this linked
pdf file. The file will be loaded into a new window.
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References
1. LEGER, L.A. and LAMBERT, J. (1982) A maximal multistage 20m shuttle
run test to predict VO2 max. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 49
(1), p. 1-5
2. KILDING, A.E. et al. (2006) Measuring and predicting maximal aerobic
power in international-level intermittent sport athletes. The Journal of
Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 46 (3), p. 366-72
3. BIZLEY, K. et al. (2010) BTEC First Sport Level 2, London, Harper
Collins Publishers Limited, p. 303 Figure 3

RelatedReferences
The following references provide additional information on this topic:
GOOSEY-TOLFREY, V. L. and TOLFREY, K. (2008) The multi-stage
fitness test as a predictor of endurance fitness in wheelchair
athletes. Journal of sports sciences, 26 (5), p. 511-517
STICKLAND, M. et al. (2003) Prediction of maximal aerobic power from
the 20-m multi-stage shuttle run test. Canadian journal of applied
physiology, 28 (2), p. 272-282

PageReference
If you quote information from this page in your work then the reference for
this page is:
MACKENZIE, B. (1999) Multi-Stage Fitness Test [WWW] Available from:
https://www.brianmac.co.uk/beep.htm [Accessed 28/10/2016]

RelatedPages
The following Sports Coach pages provide additional information on this topic:
Evaluation and Performance Tests
Performance Evaluation - Articles

AdditionalSourcesofInformation
For further information on this topic see the following:
BEASHEL, P. and TAYLOR, J. (1996) Advanced Studies in Physical
Education and Sport. UK: Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd.
BEASHEL, P. and TAYLOR, J. (1997) The World of Sport Examined. UK:
Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd.
BIZLEY, K. (1994) Examining Physical Education. Oxford; Heinemann
Educational Publishers
DAVIS, B. et al. (2000) Physical Education and the Study of Sport. UK:
Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
GALLIGAN, F. et al. (2000) Advanced PE for Edexcel. Oxford;
Heinemann Educational Publishers
McARDLE, W. et al. (2000) Essentials of Exercise Physiology. 2nd ed.
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
CHU, D. (1996) Explosive Power and Strength. USA; Human Kinetics
Publishers, Inc.

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