Beep Test – Elite Soccer Fitness Test Download

Fitness is an essential component of any player’s performance at any University/College Soccer program, semi-pro, and professional teams. Your physical capacity can mean the difference in whether you are cut or scouted and picked to play at this level.

To succeed, it is essential to understand the physical demands at the elite level. Fitness at this competitive level is multi-faced and combines multiple components such as strength, cardiovascular endurance, balance flexibility, explosiveness, power, and more. Each of these elements is crucial for peak performance and helps players endure, and recover from intense sessions.

At the elite soccer level, it is standard practice to do the ‘Beep Test’ or the Multi-Stage Fitness Test to measure a player’s fitness level. This test assesses an athlete’s aerobic endurance, mental toughness, and ability to maintain speed under increasing physical demand, providing coaches and players with a clear indicator of readiness.

Beep Test Audio

What is the Beep Test?

Also known as the Multi-Stage Fitness Test, the Beep Test is a twenty-meter (20m or 21.9 yds) cardiovascular endurance assessment that measures your VO₂ max.

The beep test is a standardized test that is often used at the elite level to gauge a player’s fitness in the form of VO₂ max.

Competitive soccer teams often use the beep test as a baseline at the beginning of preseason, and as progress checks at certain intervals such as the end of preseason, or when rehabilitating players from injury.

Required Equipment

  • 2 cones per running lane
  • Audio equipment (speakers/headphones) to play the beep test audio

How to Run the Beep Test

Part of the beauty of the beep test is that it’s effortless to set up and get started. All you need are two cones per person running the test and an audio device (a speaker connected to your phone is more than ideal.

The runner must run from one cone to the other before the beep, wait for the start beep, and run back to his or her own starting cone. The runner must continue until he or she cannot make it to the cone in time for the beep.

Some tests allow 2 or 3 misses or strikes until the runner is disqualified.

Beep Test Distances & Pace Table

Level Laps Cumulative laps Speed (km/h) Speed (mph) Laptime (s) Level time (s) Level distance (m) Cumulative distance (m) Cumulative time (mm:ss)
1 7 7 8.5 5.3 8.47 59.3 140 140 m (150 yd) 00:59
2 8 15 9.0 5.6 8.00 64.0 160 300 m (330 yd) 02:03
3 8 23 9.5 5.9 7.58 60.6 160 460 m (500 yd) 03:04
4 8 31 10.0 6.2 7.20 57.6 160 620 m (680 yd) 04:02
5 9 40 10.5 6.5 6.86 61.7 180 800 m (870 yd) 05:03
6 9 49 11.0 6.8 6.55 58.9 180 980 m (1,070 yd) 06:02
7 10 59 11.5 7.1 6.26 62.6 200 1,180 m (1,290 yd) 07:05
8 10 69 12.0 7.5 6.00 60.0 200 1,380 m (1,510 yd) 08:05
9 10 79 12.5 7.8 5.76 57.6 200 1,580 m (0.98 mi) 09:02
10 11 90 13.0 8.1 5.54 60.9 220 1,800 m (1.1 mi) 10:03
11 11 101 13.5 8.4 5.33 58.7 220 2,020 m (1.26 mi) 11:02
12 12 113 14.0 8.7 5.14 61.7 240 2,260 m (1.40 mi) 12:04
13 12 125 14.5 9.0 4.97 59.6 240 2,500 m (1.6 mi) 13:03
14 13 138 15.0 9.3 4.80 62.4 260 2,760 m (1.71 mi) 14:06
15 13 151 15.5 9.6 4.65 60.4 260 3,020 m (1.88 mi) 15:06
16 13 164 16.0 9.9 4.50 58.5 260 3,280 m (2.04 mi) 16:05
17 14 178 16.5 10.3 4.36 61.1 280 3,560 m (2.21 mi) 17:06
18 14 192 17.0 10.6 4.24 59.3 280 3,840 m (2.39 mi) 18:05
19 15 207 17.5 10.9 4.11 61.7 300 4,140 m (2.57 mi) 19:07
20 15 222 18.0 11.2 4.00 60.0 300 4,440 m (2.76 mi) 20:07
21 15 237 18.5 11.5 3.89 58.4 300 4,740 m (2.95 mi) 21:05

Calculate VO₂ From Your Results

According to a paper by Flouris, et al (2005) VO₂ max can be calculated using the following formula:

Your maximum speed in km/h can be found in the Beep Test Distances & Pace Table above in the 4th column.

  1. Take your maximum speed and multiply it by 6.55
  2. Subtract 35.8
  3. The result is your VO₂ max in mL/(kg·min)

Tips for Running the Beep Test

There’s no substitute for training and living an athletic lifestyle off the field. Achieving your best performance on the beep test requires a comprehensive approach: consistent training, peak fitness, proper nutrition, and familiarity with the test format through regular practice.

Some club and college coaches expect you to be able to achieve a specific level threshold. It is a good idea to be prepared and practice beforehand to that level and beyond.

With disciplined preparation and a strategic approach, you’ll find yourself well-prepared to meet the demands of the beep test and showcase your fitness level effectively.

Fitness is an essential component of any player’s performance at any University/College Soccer program, semi-pro, and professional teams. Your physical capacity can mean the difference in whether you are cut or scouted and picked to play at this level.

Therefore, it is essential to understand the physical demands at this level. It is important to remember that fitness combines the following components: strength, cardiovascular endurance, balance flexibility, explosiveness, power, and more.

At the elite soccer level, it is standard practice to do the ‘Beep Test’ or the Multi-Stage Fitness Test to measure a player’s fitness level.

Spread knowledge about the beautiful game.