Coaching experts JIM KILTYand LIAM HENNESSYoutline a simple test to monitor a player's multi-sprint endurance fitness

PREVIOUSLY WE have mentioned that it is very helpful if the coach has a monitoring programme in place. This helps to track the fitness progress being made by a team or by an athlete. We have noted how a simple vertical jump test can help the coach and player in tracking his or her power development – when there is an increase in the player’s vertical jumping score then he or she has improved their leg power.

In addition to the jump test there are several fitness tests that can conveniently assess a player’s multi-sprint endurance fitness. As this is an important requirement for field game players it is worth describing one such test that can be used to track the player’s endurance fitness over time.

Our favourite Yo-Yo test involves players running a series of 20-metre shuttle runs interspersed with a short recovery time of 10 seconds. During this recovery time players jog and return to the start line. The time allowed for a shuttle is progressively decreased meaning the speed required is progressively greater. This is directed by an audio bleep from a CD. The test ends when the player cannot keep pace with the tape.

The duration of this test is between three and 15 minutes depending on the fitness levels of the player. The key advantage of this test is that a squad of 30 players can be tested on any one occasion in groups of 8 to 10 players at a time. Thus a squad of 30 can be assessed in 45 minutes, if the administrator is well organised. The following requirements should be in place to conduct the test:

An indoor hall of at least 30m in length is required. The surface should be non-slip and the acoustics should be good.

An audio tape using a CD is recommended to facilitate the shuttle identification and changes of pace.

The players should stand at the start of a 20m lane for each run where they will run there and back in time to the audio ‘bleeps’.

There is a recovery period of 10 seconds throughout the test after each double 20m run.

Cones and floor tape are required to mark the 20m lanes and another mark 5m behind the start line. This is called the recovery section.

The player must jog or walk around the 5m cone before the next run effort.

A warning is given when the player does not complete a successful out and back shuttle in the allocated time.

The player is removed from the test the next time he or she does not complete a successful shuttle.

Scoring sheets and pens are required by each test administrator.

All players should be well warmed up. However, the test does start at a very slow pace and so provides an inbuilt warm-up. However, the players should have completed a dynamic stretching routine as well as some changes of direction rehearsal before starting the test. One spotter is required for every two players being tested. Thus, for a group of 10 players, five spotters are required.

Once the test is completed the coach can keep a record of the score gained in the test. The best approach then is to compare this particular score with that gained later in the training programme – say six weeks later. This then tells the coach and player how well they have advanced in that period.

It is best not to compare one player with another as each player will have a different capability when it comes to completing this test.

Article supplied by Dr. Liam Hennessy and Jim Kilty of Setanta College (www.setantacollege.com)