Validation of the 3-Minute All-Out Exercise Test for Shuttle Running Prescription

Abstract

A 3-min all-out exercise test (3MT) for running has been developed to determine critical speed (CS) and finite capacity for running speeds >CS (D') which allow for the prediction of time limits (TLIMs) associated with running different distances. Most team sports require shuttle running; however, the 3MT was validated for uninterrupted, track running and not shuttle running. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of shuttle running 3MT to determine critical speed (CS) and D'. A total of 12 subjects were tested using a baseline 3MT along with three separate distance time-trials of all-out shuttle running to determine true CS and D'. The 3MT (2.94 ± 0.39 m·s) and the true CS (3.00 ± 0.36 m·s) for shuttle running did not differ (p = 0.71) and had a coefficient of variation (CV) of 7.7%. Conversely, D' from the 3MT exceeded true D' by 42 m (p = 0.04, CV = 36%). The TLIMs estimated for the 3 different distances were within ∼2 to 6% (p = 0.60). Based on these outcomes, the shuttle run 3MT may offer a suitable method for prescribing shuttle running interval training.

Oxygen uptake kinetics and speed-time correlates of modified 3-minute all-out shuttle running in soccer players

“…The number of turns required would be inversely proportional to the distance of the shuttle, in other words, 25-m shuttles would require more turns compared to 50m shuttles in the given time. The modified all-out shuttle test has been validated by comparing CS and D’ against several distance time-trials [ 37 ].…”

“…Critical speed values were obtained as the average speed of the final 30-seconds for each all-out test [ 22 , 37 ]. Speeds for all tests were sampled at 1Hz, allowing for comparable fidelity of speed-time data for the 25m 3MT and 50m 3MT to that of Saari, et al [ 37 ]. It is important to note however, that greater precision of shuttle speed data should be obtained, and that the values presented should interpreted with some mindfulness.…”

Optimization of the Critical Speed Concept for Tactical Professionals: A Brief Review

“…The shuttle-running 3MT could add to the capability of testing tactical professionals. The shuttle-running test was designed and validated for sports athletes such as soccer, ice hockey, rugby, and basketball [ 32 , 44 ]. Commonly, athletes perform acceleration, deacceleration, and direction changes at high intensity.…”

“…Commonly, athletes perform acceleration, deacceleration, and direction changes at high intensity. The 3MT involves subjects running at a 25–50 m distance and switching back [ 32 ]. The length allows subjects to build up to near-maximal speed but provides several switchbacks during the test’s duration [ 32 ].…”

“…Running performance depends on both CS and D ′ due to the hyperbolic relationship between running speeds, distance, and performance times [ 28 ]. Critical speed has been shown to predict completion times, load carriage performance, and prescribing interval training [ 19 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. More recently, conditioning programs using the CS concept to define high-intensity interval training (HIIT) have emerged with athletic [ 29 , 34 ], non-athletic [ 30 ], and tactical populations [ 19 ].…”