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The Yo-Yo intermittent test is aimed at estimating performance in stop-and-go sports like football (soccer), cricket, basketball and the like. It was conceived around the early 1990s by Jens Bangsbo,[1] a Danish soccer physiologist, then described in a 2008 paper, "The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test".[2] Like many other tests of fitness, it involves running at ever-increasing speeds, to exhaustion. However, a crucial difference is that the Yo-Yo Intermittent test has periodic rest intervals, thus simulating the nature of exertion in stop-and-go sports.

The four tests

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There are four versions of the Yo-Yo Intermittent test:

  • Recovery Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1). This is the most popular version focusing "on the capacity to carry out intermittent exercise leading to a maximal activation of the aerobic system".[3]
  • Recovery Level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2). This is a tougher version of "Recovery Level 1". It "determines an individual's ability to recover from repeated exercise with a high contribution from the anaerobic system.[3]"
  • Endurance Level 1 (Yo-Yo IE1). This may be used to test participants in less vigorous sports that usually last longer.
  • Endurance Level 2 (Yo-Yo IE2). This is a tougher version of "Endurance Level 1".

The tests, described below, are largely similar to each other in principle. Coaches and individuals are free to select the one that best suits their sport and the individuals they are training.

Basic features

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Set-up

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Yo-Yo Intermittent Test Track

All tests use the same 25-meter track (shown). Markers are placed at 0, 5 and 25 meters on a flat surface that has suitable traction to allow for significant acceleration and deceleration.

Procedure

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The set-up for all four versions is identical.[4] Prior to the test commencing, runners line up at the 5 m marker, facing the 25 m marker. Following a countdown, a double beep signals the start.

  1. Runners commence running towards the 25 m marker
  2. At or before the following beep, runners must reach the 25 m marker. Touching with a single foot is acceptable
  3. At or after, but not before, the same beep, runners commence running back to the 5 m marker
  4. At or before the next beep, runners must reach back to the 5 m marker
  5. The rest period now commences: 10 seconds in the Recovery tests, 5 seconds in the Endurance tests. Runners stroll to the 0 m marker, then return to the 5 m marker
  6. A beep indicates the end of the rest period and the start of the next circuit (back to Step 1)

After a predetermined number of circuits at a speed level (which varies with each version of the test), the speed level changes. This is signaled, usually, by a double beep or, possibly, a voice cue. The required speed at the new speed level will be faster.

Video of the Recovery Level 1 test

Scoring

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A runner who fails to reach the relevant marker in time is cautioned; if they want to continue, they must touch the marker before turning back. Two consecutive failures terminates their attempt. Their most recent successful circuit is marked as their score.

Scoring is usually done using "Speed Level.Circuits" terminology; for example, 15.2, which means "completed 2 circuits at level 15". Alternatively, scores may be recorded as distance; for example, 840 m. The two methods correlate exactly, meaning that given one, it is possible to determine the other (see the tables below).

Note that scores in one version of the test do not correlate with scores in other versions. That is, a score of 15.2 in Yo-Yo IR1 is not the same as 15.2 in Yo-Yo IR2.

Recovery Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1)

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Yo-Yo IR1 appears to be the most popular test, primarily because it is a considered a good indicator of the aerobic capacity of athletes in intermittent sports.[5]

Speed

Level

Shuttles

at Level

Running

speed

(km/h)

Seconds

per Shuttle

Seconds

at Level

Cumulative

Time (incl.

recovery)

(mm:ss)

Cumulative

Shuttles

Cumulative

Distance

5 2 10.0 7.20 14.4 00:24 2 40
9 2 12.0 6.00 12.0 00:46 4 80
11 4 13.0 5.54 22.2 01:29 8 160
12 6 13.5 5.33 32.0 02:31 14 280
13 8 14.0 5.14 41.1 03:52 22 440
14 16 14.5 4.97 79.4 06:31 38 760
15 16 15.0 4.80 76.8 09:08 54 1080
16 16 15.5 4.65 74.3 11:42 70 1400
17 16 16.0 4.50 72.0 14:14 86 1720
18 16 16.5 4.36 69.8 16:44 102 2040
19 16 17.0 4.24 67.8 19:12 118 2360
20 16 17.5 4.11 65.8 21:38 134 2680
21 16 18.0 4.00 64.0 24:02 150 3000
22 16 18.5 3.89 62.3 26:24 166 3320
23 16 19.0 3.79 60.6 28:45 182 3640

Note: A circuit consists of running two shuttles followed by a 10 second rest period

Table derived from "The Yo-Yo Intermittent Tests: A Systematic Review and Structured Compendium of Test Results"[4] and ESPNCricinfo[6]

As a side note, "Speed Level" correlates exactly with "Running Speed (km/h)" using the formula: (Running Speed – 7.5) * 2. This applies to all versions of the test.

Recovery Level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2)

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The Yo-Yo IR2 test is usually used to evaluate elite level athletes, specifically aimed at determining the athlete's ability to perform well in the aerobic and anaerobic spectrum.[7]

Speed

Level

Shuttles

at Level

Running

speed

(km/h)

Seconds

per Shuttle

Seconds

at Level

Cumulative

Time (incl.

recovery)

(mm:ss)

Cumulative

Shuttles

Cumulative

Distance

11 2 13.0 5.54 11.1 00:21 2 40
15 2 15.0 4.80 9.6 00:41 4 80
17 4 16.0 4.50 18.0 01:19 8 160
18 6 16.5 4.36 26.2 02:15 14 280
19 8 17.0 4.24 33.9 03:29 22 440
20 16 17.5 4.11 65.8 05:55 38 760
21 16 18.0 4.00 64.0 08:19 54 1080
22 16 18.5 3.89 62.3 10:41 70 1400
23 16 19.0 3.79 60.6 13:01 86 1720
24 16 19.5 3.69 59.1 15:21 102 2040
25 16 20.0 3.60 57.6 17:38 118 2360
26 16 20.5 3.51 56.2 19:54 134 2680
27 16 21.0 3.43 54.9 22:09 150 3000
28 16 21.5 3.35 53.6 24:23 166 3320
29 16 22.0 3.27 52.4 26:35 182 3640

Note: A circuit consists of running two shuttles followed by a 10 second rest period

Table derived from "The Yo-Yo Intermittent Tests: A Systematic Review and Structured Compendium of Test Results"[4]

Endurance Level 1 (Yo-Yo IE1)

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Speed

Level

Shuttles

at Level

Running

speed

(km/h)

Seconds

per Shuttle

Seconds

at Level

Cumulative

Time (incl.

recovery)

(mm:ss)

Cumulative

Shuttles

Cumulative

Distance

1 4 8.00 9.00 36.0 00:46 4 80
3 4 9.00 8.00 32.0 01:28 8 160
5 4 10.00 7.20 28.8 02:07 12 240
6 16 10.50 6.86 109.7 04:37 28 560
6.5 16 10.75 6.70 107.2 07:04 44 880
7 16 11.00 6.55 104.7 09:28 60 1200
7.5 6 11.25 6.40 38.4 10:22 66 1320
8 6 11.50 6.26 37.6 11:14 72 1440
8.5 12 11.75 6.13 73.5 12:58 84 1680
9 12 12.00 6.00 72.0 14:40 96 1920
9.5 12 12.25 5.88 70.5 16:20 108 2160
10 12 12.50 5.76 69.1 18:00 120 2400
10.5 12 12.75 5.65 67.8 19:37 132 2640
11 12 13.00 5.54 66.5 21:14 144 2880
11.5 12 13.25 5.43 65.2 22:49 156 3120
12 12 13.50 5.33 64.0 24:23 168 3360
12.5 12 13.75 5.24 62.8 25:56 180 3600
13 12 14.00 5.14 61.7 27:28 192 3840
13.5 12 14.25 5.05 60.6 28:58 204 4080
14 12 14.50 4.97 59.6 30:28 216 4320

Note: A circuit consists of running two shuttles followed by a 5 second rest period

Table derived from "The Yo-Yo Intermittent Tests: A Systematic Review and Structured Compendium of Test Results"[4]

Endurance Level 2 (Yo-Yo IE2)

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Speed

Level

Shuttles

at Level

Running

speed

(km/h)

Seconds

per Shuttle

Seconds

at Level

Cumulative

Time (incl.

recovery)

(mm:ss)

Cumulative

Shuttles

Cumulative

Distance

8 4 11.50 6.26 25.0 00:35 4 80
10 4 12.50 5.76 23.0 01:08 8 160
12 4 13.50 5.33 21.3 01:39 12 240
13 16 14.00 5.14 82.3 03:42 28 560
13.5 16 14.25 5.05 80.8 05:43 44 880
14 16 14.50 4.97 79.4 07:42 60 1200
14.5 6 14.75 4.88 29.3 08:26 66 1320
15 6 15.00 4.80 28.8 09:10 72 1440
15.5 12 15.25 4.72 56.7 10:37 84 1680
16 12 15.50 4.65 55.7 12:02 96 1920
16.5 12 15.75 4.57 54.9 13:27 108 2160
17 12 16.00 4.50 54.0 14:51 120 2400
17.5 12 16.25 4.43 53.2 16:15 132 2640
18 12 16.50 4.36 52.4 17:37 144 2880
18.5 12 16.75 4.30 51.6 18:58 156 3120
19 12 17.00 4.24 50.8 20:19 168 3360
19.5 12 17.25 4.17 50.1 21:39 180 3600
20 12 17.50 4.11 49.4 22:59 192 3840
20.5 12 17.75 4.06 48.7 24:17 204 4080
21 12 18.00 4.00 48.0 25:35 216 4320

Note: A circuit consists of running two shuttles followed by a 5 second rest period

Notable records: Ryan Ferguson - completed 2009. 21.12 Table derived from "The Yo-Yo Intermittent Tests: A Systematic Review and Structured Compendium of Test Results"[4]

Yo-Yo tests and VO2 max

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VO2 max, or milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body mass per minute (e.g., mL/(kg·min)), is considered an excellent proxy for aerobic fitness.[8] Consequently, attempts have been made to correlate Yo-Yo test scores with VO2 max. There are conflicting reports about such a correlation. Two studies [9][10] reported only a weak correlation. Another study[11] reported strong correlation (R2=0.89) but the author acknowledged that most previous studies showed weak correlation.

Formula

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There are sources that have published formulae for the relationship:[12][13]

Yo-Yo IR1: VO2max = (Final distance (in meters) × 0.0084) 36.4

Yo-Yo IR2: VO2max = (Final distance (in meters) × 0.0136) 45.3

However, an eyeball review indicates minimum scores for Yo-Yo IR1 and Yo-Yo IR2 of 36.4 and 45.3 respectively—that is, the score if the runner does not complete a single circuit. Both scores are reasonably respectable VO2 max scores;[14] clearly, the formulae apply with additional caveats (which are not mentioned).

Yo-Yo IR1 standards

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A selection of standards, across sports, from around the world. Note that these may be affected by selection bias. An open-access publication on reference values for different sports and activity levels for individuals > 16 years of age has been published in 2018.[4] A reference list for children is also available [15]

Women

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Country Sport Organization Level Distance

(m)

Canada Canada Field Hockey FHBC (British Columbia) 15.8 1080[16]
United Nations International Basketball – Referees – Elite FIBA 15.4 920[17]

Men

[edit]
Country Sport Organization Level Distance

(m)

 Canada Field Hockey FHBC (British Columbia) 18.0 2040[16]
Rugby Union(Scrum Half, Centre,

Stand Off, Back Three)

Canadian Rugby 19.1 2080[18]
United Nations International Basketball
Elite Referees 		FIBA 16.3 1200[17]
 India Cricket National Team 17.1 1440[19]
 New Zealand Cricket National Team 20.1 2400[20]
 Pakistan Cricket National Team 17.4 1580[20]
 United Kingdom Rugby League
Elite Referees 		Rugby Football League 18.5 2240
Rugby League
National Referees 		15.1-17.1 2040[21]
 United States Rugby Union
Elite Referees 		USA Rugby 18.5 2240[21]
Rugby Union
National Referees 		18.0 2040[21]
Cricket West Indies West Indies Cricket National Team 19.0 2080[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bangsbo J, Lindquist F. Comparison of various exercise tests with endurance performance during soccer in professional players. Int J Sports Med. 1992;13(2):125-132. doi:10.1055/s-2007-1021243
  2. ^ Bangsbo, Jens; Iaia, F Marcello; Krustrup, Peter (2008). "The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test". Sports Medicine. 38 (1): 37–51. doi:10.2165/00007256-200838010-00004. PMID 18081366. S2CID 26667735 – via ResearchGate.
  3. ^ a b Bangsbo J, Iaia FM, Krustrup P. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test : a useful tool for evaluation of physical performance in intermittent sports. Sports Med. 2008;38(1):37-51. doi:10.2165/00007256-200838010-00004
  4. ^ a b c d e f Schmitz B, Pfeifer C, Kreitz K, Borowski M, Faldum A, Brand SM. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Tests: A Systematic Review and Structured Compendium of Test Results. Front Physiol. 2018;9:870. Published 2018 Jul 5. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.00870
  5. ^ Krustrup P, Mohr M, Amstrup T, et al. The yo-yo intermittent recovery test: physiological response, reliability, and validity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;35(4):697-705. doi:10.1249/01.MSS.0000058441.94520.32
  6. ^ "How the yo-yo test became a selection standard". ESPNcricinfo. 5 December 2017.
  7. ^ Krustrup P, Mohr M, Nybo L, Jensen JM, Nielsen JJ, Bangsbo J. The Yo-Yo IR2 test: physiological response, reliability, and application to elite soccer. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;38(9):1666-1673. doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000227538.20799.08
  8. ^ Howley ET, Bassett DR Jr, Welch HG. Criteria for maximal oxygen uptake: review and commentary. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;27(9):1292-1301.
  9. ^ Martínez-Lagunas V, Hartmann U. Validity of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 for direct measurement or indirect estimation of maximal oxygen uptake in female soccer players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2014;9(5):825-831. doi:10.1123/ijspp.2013-0313
  10. ^ Schmitz B, Pfeifer C, Thorwesten L, Krüger M, Klose A, Brand SM. Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 Test for Estimation of Peak Oxygen Uptake: Use Without Restriction? Res Q Exerc Sport. 2020;91(3):478-487. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2019.1684432
  11. ^ Arslan, Erşan (2012). "Investigation of the performance responses of yo-yo and shuttle run tests with the treadmill run test in young soccer players". Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences (3): 104–112 – via ResearchGate.
  12. ^ "Yo-Yo tests". Footballscience.net.
  13. ^ Bangsbo, J., Iaia, F.M., and Krustrup, P. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test : a useful tool for evaluation of physical performance in intermittent sports. Sports. Med. 38: 37-51, 2008
  14. ^ Capritto, Amanda (July 27, 2019). "VO2 max: Everything you need to know". C|net.
  15. ^ Schmitz B, Pfeifer C, Kreitz K, Borowski M, Faldum A, Brand SM. Normative Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 and Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Level 1 test values of boys aged 9-16years. J Sci Med Sport. 2019;22(9):1030-1037. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.05.016
  16. ^ a b "FITNESS TEST POLICY 2019" (PDF). FIELD HOCKEY BC. Retrieved 9 Sep 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Fiba REFEREES ELITE YO-YO FITNESS ASSESSMENT" (PDF). Dublin Officials Association. Retrieved 9 Sep 2020.
  18. ^ "CANADIAN RUGBY Fitness Standards" (PDF). Retrieved 9 Sep 2020.
  19. ^ Gollapudi, Nagraj (12 Feb 2021). "New fitness target for Indian players: yo-yo level raised to 17:1, time trial 2k run". Retrieved 9 Sep 2020.
  20. ^ a b c "How the yo-yo test became a selection standard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  21. ^ a b c "REFEREE FITNESS". Texas Rugby Referee Association. Retrieved 9 Sep 2020.
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