The 1.2 km shuttle run test: Reliability and comparison with the yo-yo intermittent recovery level 1 test in young elite rugby union players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of the 1.2 km Shuttle Run Test (1.2SRT) and its relationship with the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IRT L1) in young elite rugby union players. Forty-seven young male elite rugby union players (age 19.0 ± 1.1 yr., height 183.9 ± 7.1 cm, body mass 94.8 ± 10.4 kg, mean ± SD) conducted a Yo‐Yo IRT L1 and two 1.2SRT during three separate occasions over a 4-week period. The typical error indicating the reliability of the 1.2SRT between consecutive tests was moderate (mean 2.4%, 90%CL 2.0-2.9%). Time to complete the 1.2SRT was associated with distance covered in the Yo-Yo IRT L1 with a Pearson correlation of -0.87 between tests. Reasonable sensitivity was found in both tests allowing distinguishable differences in performance between broad player positions. For example, inside backs completed the 1.2SRT in the quickest time (284.1 s) which was substantially faster than outside backs (297.0 s), loose forwards (301.0 s) and tight forwards (317.0 s). In conclusion, while the 1.2SRT is a relatively short continuous running test, it was found to have adequate reliability. Additionally, performance in the 1.2SRT was closely related to performance in the more common Yo-Yo IRT L1. The 1.2SRT may therefore be a useful test to indicate intermittent running performance in young elite rugby union players, especially when time is at a premium.