The yo-yo test is one of the most important tests used in Cricket to evaluate the players’ fitness and endurance performance. The test acts as a selection criterion in countries such as India, New Zealand and Australia. For instance to make it into the national cricket team of India, the players must attain a cut off fitness level of the Yo-yo test which is set at 16.1.
The Test
A Danish scientist and football coach, Dr. Jens Bangsbo, invented the yo-yo test in the 1990’s. Its purpose was to evaluate the players overall fitness capacity.
The test involves running between two cones set 20 meters apart on the ground. The player starts on a beep from one cone and has to reach the other cone before the second beep. After reaching the second cone, the player has to turn back and return to the previous cone before the third beep. This sequence represents one shuttle covering a distance of 40meters. There is an interval of seven seconds between two shuttles for the player to recover.
The test becomes tenser and vigorous as the player moves up the levels. With an increase in level, the time available to finish each shuttle decreases thereby increasing the intensity.
If the player fails to reach the cone before the beep, he gets an official warning. Three warnings mark the end of the test and the level achieved is the test score.
Its Importance in Cricket
The Yo Yo Test has proven to be of great help in improving the players’ aerobic capacity. Since the major physical components of cricket are strength and speed, the test helps to establish the baseline fitness. Those who pass the test prove they are fitter than the common players hence have a high level of performance.
When players routinely practice to pass the yo-yo test, it improves their batting ability by enabling them to recover better between the runs during the actual games.
The test serves as a useful tool in measuring the results of the players training by monitoring improvements in their fitness level. Constant improvement means that the training works which later translates into consistent performance at games.
Limitations of the Yo-yo test
The credibility of the yo-yo test as a selection requirement in cricket national teams such as India continues to be a highly debated issue.
Critics claim that the test focuses more on the fitness rather than the skills of the players. Their argument is based on the basis that cricket involves other factors such as agility and flexibility of the player. Mental toughness is also important, not forgetting that the different positions of cricketers like spinners, batsmen and bowl runners require different aspects of skills not just fitness but they are still judged using the same test.
Conclusion
Although those against the test make a good point, the necessity of fitness in cricket cannot be undermined. A player who is unfit despite having the necessary skills would find it hard to give an outstanding performance hence proving why the yo-yo test continues to be significant in cricket.
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