What does the Multistage Fitness Test assess?

The Multistage Fitness Test, commonly known as the beep test, is specifically designed to assess cardiovascular endurance. This test involves running back and forth between two markers placed 20 meters apart, in time with a series of beeps that gradually increase in frequency. As participants are required to maintain a higher running pace as the test progresses, it effectively measures their ability to sustain prolonged physical activity, which is a key indicator of cardiovascular fitness.

While flexibility assesses the range of motion in joints, muscle strength measures the maximum force exerted by muscles, and balance and coordination relate to the ability to control body movements, none of these are evaluated in the Multistage Fitness Test. Its primary concentration is on how well the cardiovascular system can supply oxygen to the muscles during sustained exercise.