Course Navette / Léger Test (Beep Test): protocol, levels, and VO2max table

The Course Navette test (also called the Beep Test or Léger test) is probably the most recognizable endurance test thanks to its sound: that "beep" that sets the pace for running between two lines 20 meters apart. It's widely used in schools, team sports, and fitness entrance exams, because it can be done in any gym and provides fairly reliable VO2max data.

What does this test measure?

It measures maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max) through an intermittent, incremental protocol: the subject runs back and forth across a 20-meter stretch, matching a pace set by an audio signal ("beep") that increases progressively every minute (level). The test ends when the subject fails to reach the line before the beep on two consecutive occasions.

Equipment needed

• A flat space of at least 20 meters (gym, track, outdoors)
• Cones to mark the two lines 20 m apart
• Course Navette test audio (standard recording with beeps and levels) and a speaker
• Sheet for recording levels and shuttles

Test protocol

1. Mark two parallel lines exactly 20 meters apart
2. The subject stands on one line and starts running toward the other when the audio begins
3. They must reach the opposite line before the next beep sounds, touch it (with their foot), and turn back
4. The interval between beeps decreases progressively (each 1-minute level increases the required speed by roughly 0.5 km/h)
5. The test ends when the subject fails to reach the line before the beep on two consecutive occasions, or chooses to stop voluntarily
6. Record the last level and shuttle completed

Common mistakes

• Not measuring exactly 20 m (an error of 1-2 m significantly affects the final result)
• Allowing "cheating" (arriving before the beep and waiting, or not touching the line), which distorts the perceived pace
• Using non-standardized or low-quality audio, where the beeps don't match the official protocol timings

How to interpret the results

Reference table of estimated VO2max based on the level reached (Léger formula):

Level reached	Approximate speed (km/h)	Estimated VO2max (ml/kg/min)
4	9.5	~32
6	10.5	~38
8	11.5	~44
10	12.5	~50
12	13.5	~56
14	14.5	~62

These values are approximate; the full Léger formula also factors in the subject's age for the final VO2max calculation.

How it relates to other tests

The Course Navette test is the basis for several later intermittent tests:

• Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test — an evolution of the Beep Test that includes active recovery periods, more specific to team sports
• Cooper Test (12 minutes) — a continuous field alternative if audio or gym space isn't available

Track levels and shuttles with Movalytics

For large groups (teams, classes), writing down each person's level and shuttle on paper is chaotic and easy to lose. With Movalytics you can record each athlete's Course Navette result (level, shuttle, estimated VO2max) and compare the whole group or track individual progress between seasons.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it so widely used in team sports? Because, being intermittent and involving changes of direction, it resembles the real demands of sports like soccer, basketball, or handball much more than a continuous run, and it's also easy to run with large groups. Is it reliable to compare results from different versions of the audio? Not always: there are several versions of the audio with slight differences in level progression. The key is to always use the same version so comparisons between assessments are valid. What ages can this test be used for? It's commonly used from school age (8-10 years old) through adulthood, and is one of the most well-documented field tests in children and adolescents.