what is yo-yo test?

In his interaction with fitness experts and influencers on Thursday, September 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli about the yo-yo test, which is an essential part of the gym’s fitness routine. Indian cricket team.

“I’ve heard these days that there is a yo-yo test for the team, what is that test?” Modi asked during the virtual interaction organized to commemorate the first anniversary of the Fit India movement. Modi also asked if Kohli should pass the test or if he was saved.
Kohli replied: “I am the one who will run first and that is the condition that if I fail I am not available for selection either. It is important to define this culture and it will lead to an improvement in general physical condition. “

So what is the yo-yo test that Modi and Kohli discussed during their interaction?

The test was developed by Danish soccer physiologist Jens Bangsbo. Two cones are placed 20 meters apart and the athlete must run between them when the beep sounds.
The beeps become more frequent after one minute, and if the athlete does not reach the line within that time, they should catch up with the other two beeps. The test stops if the reader fails to catch up before the beeps end.
The test has a beginner and advanced level, and players receive scores. The minimum score set by the Cricket Control Board in India to pass the test is 16.1.

Does the selection of a player depend on this test?

Two years ago, players were expelled from Indian teams for failing the yo-yo test. In fact, Sanju Samson, one of the heroes of the first week of the current Indian Premier League, was left out of Indian team A in 2018 for not achieving the indicated score.
Around the same time, pacemaker Mohammad Shami was also excluded from the team for the one-off test against Afghanistan for failing to pass the yo-yo test.

Is it a foolproof system?

No, it has certain limitations. A player’s workload can also affect the outcome. Therefore, someone who is tested after a difficult season could struggle, while a fresher player could easily pass. For example, when Samson failed the test, his teammate Ashish Nehra passed the test.
Also, yo-yo tests are good for generic motion analysis. Different players react differently based on their metabolism and lung capacity.
Cricket, however, requires skills such as hand-eye coordination, footwork, body balance, upper and lower body strength, reflexes, how to balance with head position, etc.
The yo-yo test is not a good indicator of a player’s position.

How is it used in other sports?

The pass score is higher in hockey and soccer. But this is not the only selection criterion; The test is a simple indicator of the player’s fitness levels. In some tournaments, such as the NBA, teams do not use this routine for selection.