Determine Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS) precisely in field conditions.
Test Objective
The VAM-EVAL Test was designed to measure Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS) in a practical and reliable way under field conditions. It is widely used in team and individual sports, in school settings, and by coaches to plan endurance training.
Test Protocol
Type: Progressive, continuous test.
Distance: Running on a track marked in squares or a straight line with spaced cones.
Required Equipment:
VAM-EVAL audio beeps.
Cones spaced 20 meters apart.
Stopwatch (if no audio system is available).
Flat surface (often a gymnasium or an athletics track).
Execution
The subject runs between the 20-meter cones, following the pace set by the audio beeps.
The speed starts at 8 km/h and increases by 0.5 km/h every minute.
The subject must reach a cone at every beep.
The test stops when the athlete fails to keep up with the pace for two consecutive beeps.
MAS Calculation
The MAS is the speed of the last fully completed stage (in km/h).
Example: If the athlete completely finishes the 16 km/h stage → MAS = 16 km/h
Performance Table (Indicative)
MAS (km/h)
Performance Level
< 10
Poor
10 – 12
Average
12 – 14
Good
14 – 16
Very Good
> 16
Excellent / Elite
✅ Advantages
Standardized and easy to set up.
Reliable and reproducible.
Allows for the definition of training zones (interval, threshold, recovery).
Ideal for team sports and regular performance monitoring.
⚠️ Advice & Precautions
Warm up properly (at least 15 minutes before the test).
Ensure the audio rhythm can be heard clearly.
Perform the test under identical conditions each time for maximum reliability.
Do not use this test in the event of an injury or a cardiorespiratory condition.