Comparison of the Field-Based Intermittent Running Fitness Test 30-15 and the Treadmill Multistage Incremental Test for the Assessment of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Elite Handball Players

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the physiological parameters indicative of cardiorespiratory fitness obtained during the 30-15 intermittent fitness (30-15IFT) test and the multistage laboratory treadmill endurance (TR) test differ. Nineteen elite handball players were recruited for the current study and assigned in a cross-over manner to one of two tests to be performed 48 h apart at each visit to the testing facility. The results showed that VO2max (percentage difference [PC] = 6.1%; p = 0.004) and maximal running velocity (V) (PC = 19.4%; p < 0.001) were significantly higher for the 30-15IFT test than that obtained during the TR test. Furthermore, the onset of blood lactate accumulation was shown to be significantly higher for all measures considered to predict it during 30-15IFT compared to TR as follows: VO2max (PC = 12.6%; p = 0.001), running speed (PC = 33.9%; p < 0.001), and maximal heart rate (PC = 7.5%; p < 0.001). The current study highlights the importance of sport-specific testing, particularly for measuring individual cardiorespiratory fitness in elite handball players, as TR may underestimate crucial variables used for both diagnostics and training prescription.

The reliability, validity and usefulness of the 30–15 intermittent fitness test for cardiorespiratory fitness assessment in military personnel

“…Although outcome measures obtained during the 30-15 IFT demonstrated high correlations (r = 0.695-0.930) to the same measures obtained during the goldstandard continuous TR, ERS, HR max and VO 2 max were higher in the 30-15 IFT (Table 3). This is in good agreement with previous findings 14,27 . Also, by showing good rating for all 30-15 IFT outcome measures, our results confirmed the usefulness of the 30-15 IFT for testing soldier's CRF.…”

“…IFT test consists of 30-s shuttle runs interspersed with 15-s active recovery periods. Running speed was set at 8 km/h for the first 30-s run and increased by 0.5 km/h in each 30-s phase thereafter, while the participants were required to run back and forth between two lines 40 m apart at the predetermined pace determined by a prerecorded beep like elswhere 14,18 . The speed of the last successfully completed stage was recorded as the test result, that is ERS IFT Statistical analysis.…”

“…Furthermore, a high standard of strength and conditioning planning and programming required for military personnel cannot be met with such a test because the final result is expressed as the total time required to run a given distance without any other information needed for training prescription and necessary optimization. Over the past two decades, an intermittent shuttle run testing with 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT ) has been successfully implemented for CRF testing in various populations [12][13][14] . 30-15 IFT is an incremental test consisting of 30-s shuttle runs interspersed with 15-s active recovery periods.…”

“…30-15 IFT is an incremental test consisting of 30-s shuttle runs interspersed with 15-s active recovery periods. In addition, it has been demonstrated to accurately predict the VO 2max values in both elite and young male handball, soccer and hockey players 12,14 , respectively. This suggests that it can be utilized for both CRF assessment and individual training prescription 12,15 .…”

“…According to a recent study 14 elite handball players' ERS and VO 2max values were significantly greater when determined from the 30-15IFT test than when produced from the TR test. As a result, prescribing an aerobic training intensity based on ERS may vary significantly (i.e., up to 3.2 km/h or 19%) 14 and harm athletes' CRF development.…”