Martin's Rugby Coaching Forum

Hi all,

A while ago I entered a beep test run and managed 13.2. Another beep test in the UK gave about the same result. I then used an iphone application for a third test and managed 15.2 with no additional training. This prompted me to check the timings.

I searched the web and found only a handful of sites with beep test timings. Bewilderingly, not one of the sites agreed with the timings of another!!! I tried contacting various sport authorities around the world and nobody could tell me, for absolute certain, what the official timings were. To cut a long story short I managed to get in contact with Luc Leger who is the creator of the beep test. He explained that his original version started at 8.5 km/hr and increased by 0.5 km/hr for each level thereafter. He also told me that a similar version had been made in another country which started at 8.0 km/hr but immediately increased to 9.0 km/hr for level 2 and then by 0.5 km/hr for each level thereafter. As far as VO2 max goes there is no difference in results between the two tests so either can be used.

I ordered the multi-stage fitness CD from the National Coaching Foundation (NCF) in the UK and recorded the timings. The NCF use the altered timings – starting speed of 8.0, and then 9.0 for level 2. It seems to me that somewhere along the line someone took the starting speed of 8.0 and assumed that the speed increases by 0.5 per level after that… which would give completely different results… hence me getting to level 15.2.

The attached spreadsheet shows you a) the timings of the NCF CD, b) the timings of the official original beep test by Luc Leger, and c) the copy of the table that Luc Leger sent to me.
I’ve also attached the PDF that Luc Leger emailed me which makes interesting reading.

I have updated Wikipedia (which was also incorrect) but I don’t know how long it will stay. Luc Leger told me that he updated the site himself a few times with bits of information and within days someone had changed it back!!

My hope now is that everyone can update their sites and apps so that we are all using the same timings and therefore make the beep test an accurate benchmark for fitness assessment that it was designed for.

Thanks.
Dan Ford.