VAMEVAL Test
Designed by Georges Cazorla, this test measures Maximal Aerobic Speed through a progressive run on a track, with one-minute levels paced by audio beeps.
About the VAMEVAL test
The VAMEVAL test determines your MAS: the speed at which oxygen consumption reaches its maximum (VO2max). All it requires is an athletics track and an audio track to guide participants through the successive intensity levels.
How the test works
Participants run at progressively increasing speeds, set by pre-recorded beeps. Every minute the speed rises, demanding an ever-greater effort until exhaustion. The distance covered and the level reached allow a precise calculation of MAS.
Calculator
Record your MAS
Enter the speed (km/h) of the last level you completed before stopping: by definition of the test, that is your MAS.
Equipment needed
- An athletics track marked every 20 metres
- An audio track with the beeps signalling speed changes
- An audio playback device (speakers or earphones)
- A stopwatch to track the one-minute levels
- Cones or visual markers to define the distances
Protocol
How the test unfolds
- Set-upAn athletics track marked every 20 metres, the audio track ready, cones or visual markers in place.
- StartRunners line up behind the start line; on the initial signal, they set off at the pace dictated by the audio.
- ProgressionOn each beep, reach the 20-metre marker. The cadence increases every minute, requiring a speed adjustment.
- End of the testThe test ends when you can no longer keep up with the pace set by the audio track.
Key points: listen carefully to the beeps, keep good running form even at high intensity, and stop immediately if you feel significant pain.
Recommended gear
To run the test in good conditions
- Portable speaker View on Amazon →
- Set of training cones View on Amazon →
- Running shoes View on Amazon →
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Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Who designed the VAMEVAL test?
It was designed by Georges Cazorla to measure Maximal Aerobic Speed through a progressive run on an athletics track.
How do you calculate your MAS after the test?
The direct method is to note the speed of the last level completed before stopping: that is your MAS. A proportional-correction method also exists to refine the result when a level is left unfinished, but it requires more precision and a coach's input is recommended.
What is the difference with the beep test?
Both are progressive 20-metre runs paced by beeps. VAMEVAL was specifically designed by Georges Cazorla and is widely used in clubs, with one-minute levels like the classic shuttle-run test.
How can I improve my sustained running speed?
Threshold work and long intervals (efforts close to your MAS) are the most effective levers for raising the speed you can hold over time, alongside a sufficient volume of easy-pace endurance running.