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Hüseyin Akbulut, MSc (2026). MaxVO2 Shuttle Test — Protocol, Norms and Application. Sporeus. Retrieved, October 10, 2026. https://sporeus.com/en/egzersiz-testleri-en/maxvo2-shuttle-test/
Updated: ·2 min read
Measures: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), cardiorespiratory endurance
Table of Contents
Difficulty: Hard | Category: Aerobic
Protocol
The MaxVO2 Shuttle Test is a variation of the Beep Test that uses the standard 20m shuttle format to directly estimate VO₂max. Referred to as ‘MaxVO2 Shuttle’ in some sources, this protocol is particularly used in North American fitness assessments. Preparation: Test setup is the same as the Beep Test: two lines 20 meters apart, audio system, and cones. Participants warm up for 5–10 minutes. Participants are informed that the VO₂max test requires maximal effort. Protocol: When the audio recording starts, participants shuttle between the 20m lines. Speed increases progressively with each level; in this version, the rate of speed increase may differ from the standard Beep Test. The participant receives a warning if they fail to reach the line before the beep; the test ends after two consecutive warnings. Data Recording: The last completed level and shuttle number are recorded. These data are entered into the MaxVO2 equation for VO₂max estimation. Calculation: VO₂max (ml/kg/min) = -24.4 + (6.0 × final speed km/h). This equation is similar to the Ramsbottom et al. Beep Test equation, though some versions use different coefficients. Post-Test: A cool-down walk and stretching are performed. Results are compared to normative tables and entered into the player profile database.Formula
VO₂max (ml/kg/min) = -24.4 + (6.0 × final_speed_kmh)
Equipment Required
20 m flat area, audio recording, cones
Normative Values (Age: 20-29)
| Classification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | >55 ml/kg/min | >47 ml/kg/min |
| Good | 45-55 ml/kg/min | 37-47 ml/kg/min |
| Average | 35-45 ml/kg/min | 27-37 ml/kg/min |
| Below Average | 25-35 ml/kg/min | 17-27 ml/kg/min |
| Poor | <25 ml/kg/min | <17 ml/kg/min |
Practical Applications
This test is a practical alternative as it can be administered with standard Beep Test equipment. It is used in school sports, community health research, and exercise science laboratories.Limitations
Terminological confusion with the Beep Test may arise. Different equations are used in different sources; there is a lack of standardization.Related Tests: Beep Test, Yo-Yo IR1, Cooper Test
Sources: Ramsbottom R et al., 1988, Br J Sports Med; Léger LA et al., 1988, J Sports Sci
References
- Leger LA, Lambert J. (1982). A maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run test to predict VO2 max. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology, 49(1): 1-12. doi:10.1007/BF00428958
- Leger LA, Mercier D, Gadoury C, Lambert J. (1988). The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness. Journal of Sports Sciences, 6(2): 93-101. doi:10.1080/02640418808729800
- Ramsbottom R, Brewer J, Williams C. (1988). A progressive shuttle run test to estimate maximal oxygen uptake. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 22(4): 141-144. doi:10.1136/bjsm.22.4.141
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Hüseyin Akbulut is the founder of Sporeus and author of THRESHOLD (EŞİK), a 540-page Turkish-language book on endurance science.
- 540pp THRESHOLD Book
- MSc Sport Sciences
- Marmara University
Key Facts
Protocol The MaxVO2 Shuttle Test is a variation of the Beep Test that uses the standard 20m shuttle format to directly estimate VO₂max. Referred to as 'MaxVO2 Shuttle' in some sources, this protocol is particularly used in North American fitness assessments. Preparation: Test setup is the same as the Beep Test: two lines 20 meters apart, audio system, and cones. Participants warm up for 5–10 minutes. Participants are informed that the VO₂max test requires maximal effort. Protocol: When the audio recording starts, participants shuttle between the 20m lines. Speed increases progressively with each level; in this version, the rate of speed increase may differ from the standard Beep Test. The participant receives a warning if they fail to reach the line before the beep; the test ends after two consecutive warnings. Data Recording: The last completed level and shuttle number are recorded. These data are entered into the MaxVO2 equation for VO₂max estimation. Calculation: VO₂max (ml/kg/min) = -24.4 + (6.0 × final speed km/h). This equation is similar to the Ramsbottom et al. Beep Test equation, though some versions use different coefficients. Post-Test: A cool-down walk and stretching are performed. Results are compared to normative tables and entered into the player profile database. Formula
VO₂max (ml/kg/min) = -24.4 + (6.0 × final_speed_kmh)
Equipment Required
20 m flat area, audio recording, cones
