Beep Test vs Yo-Yo Test: Which One Should Your Team Use?
- Athlete Analyzer
- 22 jul
- 5 Min. de lectura
Actualizado: hace 22 horas
Quick Answer
The Beep Test measures continuous endurance by running 20-metre shuttles without breaks until exhaustion, while the Yo-Yo Test measures intermittent endurance with short recovery periods between runs.
Both use 20-metre distances but test different energy systems and suit different sports.
Background
Fitness testing is essential for teams that want to track and improve player conditioning. Two of the most popular field tests for assessing endurance and aerobic capacity are the Beep Test and the Yo-Yo Test. While both are widely used, they serve different purposes and suit different sports and training objectives.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the Beep Test and Yo-Yo Test side by side, explore which sports typically use each, and explain how you can easily track and analyze test results with Pulses.
The Beep Test (aka Bleep Test, Leger Test, PIP Test)
The Beep Test, also known as the Bleep Test, Leger Test, PIP Test, or 20m Shuttle Run, is a continuous running test designed to measure aerobic endurance.
Participants run back and forth between two markers set 20 meters apart, with the running speed dictated by audio beeps that increase in frequency over time. The test continues until the participant can no longer keep pace with the beeps.
Common in:
Schools and physical education
Military, Police, and Fire Service fitness assessments
General fitness assessments
Team sports, particularly in endurance-focused or non-sprint dominant disciplines
Key Metrics:
Total shuttles completed
Level reached
VO2 max estimation (predicted from performance)
The Yo-Yo Test
The Yo-Yo Test builds upon the Beep Test format by including short recovery intervals between shuttle runs. It was developed specifically for soccer players, though it is suitable for similar sports where the athlete's participation is intermittent¹. This test is designed to better simulate the stop-start demands of intermittent sports.
There are several validated versions, including:
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) — suitable for recreational athletes.
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2) — designed for elite and professional athletes.
Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Test Levels 1 & 2 — focusing on sustained endurance with less emphasis on recovery.
Common in:
Soccer
Basketball
Rugby
Ice Hockey
And many more
Key Metrics:
Distance covered
Level reached
VO2 max estimation (via validated formulas)
Beep Test vs Yo-Yo Test — Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | Beep Test | Yo-Yo Test |
Primary focus | Continuous aerobic endurance | Intermittent aerobic/anaerobic endurance |
Recovery | None | 10-second recovery between runs |
Common use | Schools, military, general fitness | Team sports like soccer, hockey, rugby |
Distance per shuttle | 20 m (also available in 15 m format) | 20 m |
Variants | 20 m and 15 m multi-stage fitness test | IR1, IR2, IE1, IE2, Endurance L1, L2 |
Beep and Yo-Yo Test Usage by Sport and Organization
Different activities, sports, and organizations place distinct demands on endurance, speed, and recovery. Choosing the right test helps ensure your fitness assessments align with the specific energy systems and performance patterns of each sport.
Who Uses the Beep Test
Military, Police, and Fire Service Assessments: Beep Test is a standard tool for evaluating baseline aerobic fitness.
Schools and Universities: A mainstay for physical education and youth fitness testing.
Grassroots and Development Programs: Simple administration makes the Beep Test ideal for broad assessments.
Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, Fencing: These sports often use the Beep Test or other continuous endurance tests like the Cooper 12-minute run to assess aerobic capacity.
Who Uses the Yo-Yo Test
Soccer: Widely adopted by professional teams and federations. Yo-Yo IR1 is suited for youth and recreational levels, while Yo-Yo IR2 is preferred for elite athletes.
Basketball: Reflects the sport's intermittent, high-intensity sprinting nature.
Handball and Field Hockey: Benefit from the test's focus on endurance with recovery.
Rugby: Frequently employs Yo-Yo testing to monitor players' fitness.
Ice Hockey: Utilizes the Yo-Yo Test to assess players' capacity for repeated high-intensity efforts and recovery.
Cricket: Adopted by elite teams to evaluate endurance and recovery capacity.
Which Test is Best for Your Team?
Athletes who do not train for sprinting or high-intensity intermittent efforts often perform better on the Beep Test compared to the Yo-Yo Test. The Beep Test primarily measures continuous aerobic endurance, favoring steady-state endurance training such as distance running, cycling, or swimming.
The Yo-Yo Test challenges both aerobic and anaerobic systems, making it better suited for athletes engaged in sports requiring frequent sprints and recovery. Without specific sprint or intermittent training, Yo-Yo Test results may be lower.
Scientific studies confirm that Yo-Yo test performance is more sensitive to adaptations from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training, while Beep Test performance aligns more closely with continuous endurance conditioning.
Elite teams often benefit from employing both tests to capture distinct physiological qualities throughout the season.
How to Run Each Test Effectively
Standardized Setup: Ensure 20m markers, clear instructions, and consistent testing surfaces.
Reliable Audio: Use validated and standardized audio tracks for both tests.
Performance Recording: Document levels, shuttles, and estimated VO2 max.
Monitor Heart Rate: Adding heart rate monitoring provides deeper insight into exertion levels and recovery patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which test is harder — Beep or Yo-Yo?
It depends on the athlete. The Beep Test’s continuous format challenges aerobic stamina, while the Yo-Yo Test pushes repeated high-intensity efforts with partial recovery.
Which test is best for soccer?
Yo‑Yo IR1 is the most widely used version overall and works well for assessing aerobic capacity in intermittent sports. Elite and professional teams often use Yo‑Yo IR2, as it better stresses high‑intensity repeat efforts and recovery capacity.
Can Pulses App track both tests?
Yes. Pulses supports live heart rate monitoring, automated scoring, VO₂max estimation, and PDF reports for both tests.
Track Tests Smarter with the Pulses App
Pulses supports both the Beep Test and all Yo-Yo Test variations, enabling:
Automated scoring and reporting
Real-time heart rate monitoring
VO2 max estimations without manual calculations
Maximum heart rate (Max HR) tracking during the test
Max HR over the last 30 seconds, providing validation of the athlete's maximal effort
Heart rate recovery measurements at 30 seconds, 1 minute, and 2 minutes post-test
PDF report generation for easy sharing and documentation
Seamless sync with Athlete Analyzer, allowing coaches and teams using the platform to centralize and analyze all athlete data
Final Thoughts
At the professional and elite levels, teams often complement field tests like the Beep Test and Yo-Yo Test with laboratory-based assessments conducted at performance centers. These advanced tests provide direct VO2 max measurements and deeper physiological insights through tools like gas analysis and lactate threshold testing.
However, not every athlete or team has access to such facilities. That's why field-based tests, especially when combined with tools like Pulses for real-time heart rate tracking and automated data analysis, offer an accessible yet reliable way to evaluate fitness without specialized equipment.
Both the Beep Test and the Yo-Yo Test are scientifically validated field tests with distinct advantages. Choosing the right test depends on your sport, competitive level, and the specific fitness qualities you want to assess.
Integrating these tests with heart rate monitoring and automated analysis with Pulses provides a comprehensive, data-driven approach to athlete conditioning.
References:
Mackenzie, B. Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test. BrianMac Sports Coach. Available at: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/yoyoirt.htm (Accessed 22 October 2025).
For more information, visit BrianMac Sports Coach: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/index.htm