New Delhi: The Yo-Yo test which has been a part of the sporting world to test fitness of the athletes long before has generated considerable heat in recent times after experienced seniors cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina failed the endurance test, which served as one of the primary reasons for their ouster from the Sri Lanka tour. Ashwin, though, appears to have cleared the hurdle. 

 

Off-spinning all-rounder R. Ashwin has, according to sources, cleared the Yo-Yo fitness test on Wednesday last, that has been made mandatory for all cricketers ahead of India selection. Getting through this rather brutal physical examination means Ashwin will be available for the ODI series against New Zealand, beginning Oct. 22, and then the Test series versus Sri Lanka, starting November 16.

 

While there were murmurs that clearing the Yo-Yo Test is paramount to be picked in the team, it has now become official that passing the fitness test is mandatory.

Indian cricket team and management has made it clear that every players need to pass yo-yo test to be part of the national team. The team regularly undergoes a series of fitness tests and the BCCI isn’t the only body to rely on the ‘Yo-Yo’ endurance test. The Australia and England cricket teams too, analyse players’ fitness using this test. 

 

Every cricketer — not just those who play the energy intensive shorter versions, but even Test cricketers — will now need to have a basic level of aerobic endurance prescribed by the Indian team management. According to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, “Even if a cricketer happens to be injury-free and in form failure to meet the mandatory fitness parameters would result in him making way for a fitter player.

 

The captain, coach and chief selector, along with the other members of the selection committee in consultation with the support staff (trainer and physio), have set the parameters. “The fitness parameters set by the team management for athletes to be eligible for selection are non-negotiable,” he was quoted as saying by a publication.

 

Here’s all what the Test entails:

The Yo-Yo test was developed to measure an athlete’s ability to repeatedly perform high-intensity aerobic work. Since then, it has established itself as one of the most commonly used aerobic field tests for youth and recreational athletes. It has been shown to be a valid and reliable predictor of high-intensity aerobic capacity and VO2 max amongst athletes from various sports and competition-levels. 

 

The Yo-Yo Endurance Test was developed by Danish soccer physiologist Jens Bangsbo and is considered as a variation of the beep test that is used to evaluate an individual’s aerobic endurance fitness. The Yo-Yo test is a simple method for examining an athlete’s capacity to perform repetitive high-intensity aerobic exercise. 

 

There are two versions of this test: Level 1 & 2 (a beginners and advanced level). The level one test is effectively the same as the standard beep test. The Level 2 test starts at a higher running speed and has different increments in speed. 

 

 

This test requires continuous running, unlike the endurance version of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Test, which has rest periods of 5 seconds after each 40m run and there are three variations (level1, level2, and submaximal test level) of this yo-yo intermittent recovery test as well.

 

Procedure: How to conduct the test

 

  

 

The test uses cones to mark out two lines 20 meters apart. The subjects start with their foot behind one of the lines, and begin running when instructed. They continue running between the two lines, turning when signalled by the recorded beeps. After each minute or so, the pace gets quicker. If the line is not reached in time the subject must run to the line turn and try to catch up with the pace within 2 more ‘beeps’. The test is stopped if the subject fails to catch up with the pace within the two ends.

 

Equipment required: 

• Facility – Consistent, flat and non-slip (minimum length of 30m)

• Marking cones

• Measuring tape (>30m)

• YYIR test audio CD or MP3

• CD or MP3 player with loud speaker (volume of speaker is particularly important).

• Performance recording sheet.

• Officiator recording the number of shuttles completed.

 

It is important to note that whenever fitness testing is performed, it must be done so in a consistent environment (i.e. facility), so that it is protected from varying weather types, and with a dependable surface that is not affected by wet or slippery conditions. If the environment is not consistent, the reliability of repeated tests at later dates can be substantially hindered and result in worthless data.

 

Scoring: 

The athlete's score is the total distance covered before they were unable to keep up with the recording. The Yo-Yo intermittent test usually takes between 5-20 minutes for level 1 and between 2-10 minutes for level 2. 

 

Lastly, this test is a maximal test, which requires a reasonable level of fitness. It is not recommended for recreational athletes or people with health problems, injuries or low fitness levels. 

 

While most see this as a necessary change considering the demands of modern cricket, there are those who say that caution needs to be exercised before making such tests mandatory. A former member of the Indian coaching staff has somewhere said the team management should keep in mind that aerobic endurance can’t be the only criterion for selection. 

 

One can say, the hurdles before the Indian dressing room haven’t just got higher, but have increased in number as well.

 

References:

http://www.thehindu.com

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

http://www.topendsports.com

http://indianexpress.com