So, the running speed at stage 1 is 8 km/h, stage 2 is 8.5 km/h, stage 3 at 9 km/h and so on.Īthletes are required to run back and forth between the two lines set 40m apart (Figure 1) at a speed governed by an audio “beep”. first 30-second shuttle run), and this speed increases by 0.5 km/h for every 30-second stage thereafter. The 30-15 IFT consists of 30-second shuttle runs interspersed with 15-second walking recovery periods. The ’30-15’ simply refers to the work-to-rest ratio/time – meaning the test requires athletes to run for 30 seconds and then recover (i.e.

Variations of the test: Basketball (4), Wheelchair Basketball (5) and Ice Hockey (6)Īs expressed in the name, the 30-15 IFT is an ‘intermittent’ test, which means athletes are required to perform intense exercise followed by a recovery and repeat this until volitional exhaustion.

Being used for training prescription (3).

Identifying an athlete’s anaerobic velocity reserve (ARV) (3).

Identifying an athlete’s repeated change of direction capacity (3).

Identifying an athlete’s maximal aerobic speed (3).

Since its original development, it has been diversified to do many different things. For example, an athlete who has a poor change of direction capacity may not perform as well “aerobically” on the test in comparison to an athlete who has a good change of direction capacity (3). Having said that, this diversity also means that the test cannot isolate any particular physical quality (e.g. So although we have placed this test under the ‘aerobic’ fitness testing category, it actually has several capabilities. Therefore, and according to Martin Buchheit himself, the test was designed to provide the coach with an overall picture of the athlete’s fitness capacity – or at least a number of these fitness qualities (3). More specifically, it was developed to measure an athlete’s maximal aerobic function, anaerobic capacity, neuromuscular and change of direction qualities, and their ability to recover during intermittent exercise (1, 2). Invented by Martin Buchheit, the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT) was developed as a reference guide for interval training prescription and to measure typical physical qualities/capacities that are challenged during intermittent sports such as football (soccer), handball, netball, and field hockey.

What is the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test?

Shuttle run score