Sprint or Speed Tests
Sprint or speed tests can be performed over varying distances, depending on the factors being tested and the relevance to the athlete's sport. The aim of all speed tests is to cover the set distance in the quickest possible time.
test purpose: The purpose of this test is to determine acceleration, maximum running speed and speed endurance, depending on the distance run.
equipment required: measuring tape or marked track, stopwatch or timing gates, cone markers.
pre-test: Explain the test procedures to the subject. Perform screening of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare forms and record basic information such as age, height, body weight, gender, test conditions. Measure and mark out the test area. Perform a warm-up for sprints. See more details of pre-test procedures.
procedure: The test involves running a single
maximum sprint over a set distance, with time recorded. After a standardized warm up, the test
is conducted over a certain distance, such as 10, 20, 40 and/or
50 meters or yards, depending on the sport and what you are trying
to measure. The starting position should be standardized, starting
from a stationary position with a foot behind the starting line, with no rocking movements. If you
have the equipment (e.g. timing gates), you can measure the time
to run each split distance (e.g. 5, 10, 20m) during the same
run, and then acceleration and peak velocity can also be determined.
It is usual to give the athletes an adequate warm-up and practice
first, and some encouragement to continue running hard past the
finish line.
results: You can use a measure of the time for the first 10 meters or yards from a stationary start as a score for acceleration, and the time to run between 30-60 meters for a flying sprint speed, or maximum running speed. This score can also be presented as a running velocity (distance / time). For sprint tests conducted over 100 meters or yards or so, comparing the time for the final 40 compared to the first 40 can be used as a speed endurance score.
target population: sprinters, team sport athletes and any other sport in which speed is important.
reliability: Reliability is greatly improved if timing gates are used. Also weather conditions and the running surface can affect the results, and these conditions should be recorded with the results. If possible, set up the track with a crosswind to minimize the effect of wind.
Similar Tests
- See specific sprint tests over 20 meters, 30 meters (30 m fly), 30 yards, 40 yards, 40 meters, 50 meters, 60 yards, 60 meters.
- Sport specific sprint tests: sprint speed to first base for baseball players, 3/4 court for basketball players, and 17.68m cricket sprint test.
- Using a radar to measure speed
Related Pages
- Videos of the Speed Testing.
- warming up for sprint testing
- Calculating power from sprint scores
- Training for Speed
- Sprint test norms: 35m
- Other anaerobic tests
- About anaerobic testing
- All about Timing Gates
- Measure running speed using a Foot Pod or GPS or Radar
- Sprint Test Results
- World Records for Speed tests
- Speed workouts
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