Football Fitness Testing: What Can Yo-Yo, Bleep and Speed Tests Tell a Player?

Why test? Testing gives an objective reference point and helps track physical development over time.

Yo-Yo tests Intermittent running with short recoveries, reflecting the stop-start nature of football.

Bleep test A continuous shuttle test that estimates aerobic fitness.

Speed tests Short sprints over set distances measure acceleration and top speed.

Speed with and without the ball Comparing the two shows how well a player keeps control at pace — see why both matter.

Speed endurance Repeated sprints show how well a player maintains speed when tired.

Consistent protocols Same distance, surface, footwear, warm-up and timing method. Otherwise results cannot be compared fairly.

Track over time Physical development varies hugely between young players, so the most useful comparison is with the player's own previous results. We do not publish universal age benchmarks.

Only one part of the picture Physical tests never replace match performance. At The Academy Insider, performance testing is carried out every three months as part of player development.