Okay, so the other day I stumbled upon this thing called a “Yo-Yo Test” and I was like, “What the heck is that?” I’m not talking about the toy, obviously. Turns out, it’s some kind of fitness test, mostly used for athletes. I got curious, so I decided to give it a shot myself, just to see what it’s all about.
Getting Started: Finding the Instructions
First things first, I needed to figure out how this test actually works. I did some digging online. I found a few different versions, but the basic idea seems to be the same across the board.
- You set up two markers, usually cones, 20 meters apart.
- You run back and forth between these markers.
- The tricky part is that you run at an increasing speed, guided by audio beeps.
- You keep going until you can’t keep up with the beeps anymore.
- And you have to record which level and how many shuttles when you can’t keep up anymore.
Setting up My “Course”
I didn’t have any fancy cones, so I just used a couple of water bottles. I measured out 20 meters in my local park using my phone’s step tracker (not the most accurate, I know, but it was good enough for a casual try). Then, I found a Yo-Yo Test audio file online – it’s basically a series of beeps that get closer and closer together.
The Actual Test… Ouch
Let me tell you, this thing is tougher than it sounds! I started off feeling pretty good, jogging back and forth. But those beeps get faster and faster, and pretty soon I was sprinting. I’m not exactly an elite athlete, so I didn’t last very long. I think I made it to, I don’t know the level, but I was definitely huffing and puffing.
The Aftermath (and My Thoughts)
After I couldn’t keep up with the beeps anymore, I collapsed on the grass. My legs were burning, and I was gasping for air. It was definitely a humbling experience! I mean I was exhausted!
It’s clear that the Yo-Yo Test is a pretty good way to measure someone’s ability to repeatedly sprint with short recovery periods. It’s no wonder it’s used for sports like soccer, basketball, and hockey, where that kind of fitness is super important.
Will I be doing the Yo-Yo Test regularly? Probably not. It was a fun experiment, but it’s a bit too intense for my usual workout routine. But hey, at least I can say I tried it! And I definitely have a newfound respect for athletes who can ace this thing.
