In case study 1, the Lithuanian team had an VO2max range of 55-61ml/kg/min, which is about the equivalent of running 12 to 14 on the beep test.Ī 2012 study on elite Egyptian boxers listed VO2max results as high as 64.6ml/kg/min (15.2 beep test), while in a similar study in the UK, boxers were found to have maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) scores of 63.8ml/kg/min (14.12 beep test). As the test proceeds, the interval between each successive beep decreases, forcing the athlete to increase their speed over the course of the test, until it is impossible to keep in sync with the recording.Ī copy of the beep test can be found here: These runs are synchronized with pre-recorded audio software, which plays beeps at set intervals. The test involves running continuously between two points that are 20 meters apart from side to side. The beep test is an option which requires minimal equipment, and is often used by sports coaches to estimate an athlete’s VO2 max (maximum oxygen uptake). al., 2002)įitness in the Lithuanian study was measured using the maximal treadmill test, but most coaches don’t have access to the equipment needed for this. The higher ranked boxers were almost always stronger and fitter than the boxers ranked below them. The findings, published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness revealed similar conclusions to the Lithuanian study. The athletes’ aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and strength was recorded, and compared with their ranking. Prior to the Lithuanian research a similar study was done in Italy on the top 8 elite boxers from that country (AIBA rankings). Oxygen pulse max, which has a strong connection to VO2 max is another way of measuring aerobic fitness.ĬASE STUDY 2 – Elite amateur boxers from Italy The following graph summarises the results, and shows a strong correlation between fitness and success in the sport. Boxers were allocated points according to how well they placed at the Lithuanian, European, and World Boxing Championships, and given a ‘sports mastery ranking’.

The boxers were then ranked according to their level of success at national and international boxing tournaments. While the sample size for this study was small (12 people), the methodology was very good, and the results are fascinating.ġ2 world class boxers from the Lithuanian national team participated in a series of tests to assess their aerobic fitness. Lithuania is a country which was part of the former Soviet Union. In 2014 scientists from the Lithuanian Sports University published a study which examined the importance of fitness in amateur boxing. CASE STUDY 1 – Lithuanian amateur boxing team

Beep test vo2 max