Journal of Sports Sciences, 2000, 18 , 97±104 Journal of Sports Sciences ISSN 0264-0414 print/ISSN 1466-447X online Ó 2000 Taylor & Francis Ltd http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/tf/00268976.html The Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test: A ®eld test that simulates the activity pattern of soccer CERI W. NICHOLAS, 1 * FRANK E. NUTTALL 2 and CLYDE WILLIAMS 1 1 Human Muscle Metabolism Research Group, Department of Sports Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, and 2 West Bromwich Albion Football Club, West Bromwich, West Midlands, UK Accepted 3 October 1999 The aims of this study were to describe and determine the test±retest reliability of an exercise protocol, the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (the LIST), which was designed to simulate the activity pattern characteristic of the game of soccer. The protocol consisted of two parts: Part A comprised a ®xed period of variable-intensity shuttle running over 20 m; Part B consisted of continuous running, alternating every 20 m between 55% and 95% V Ç O 2max , until volitional fatigue. Seven trained games players (age 21.5 ± 0.9 years, height 182 ± 2 cm, body mass 80.1 ± 3.6 kg, V Ç O 2max 59.0 ± 1.9 ml´kg -1 ´min -1 ; mean ± s x Å ) performed the test on two occasions (Trial 1 and Trial 2), at least 7 days apart, to determine the test±retest reliability of the sprint times and running capacity. The physiological and metabolic responses on both occasions were also monitored. The participants ingested water ad libitum during the ®rst trial, and were then prescribed the same amount of water during the second trial. The 15 m sprint times during Trials 1 and 2 averaged 2.42 ± 0.04 s and 2.43 ± 0.04 s, respectively. Run time during Part B was 6.3 ± 2.0 min for Trial 1 and 6.1 ± 1.3 min for Trial 2. The 95% limits of agreement for sprint times and run times during Part B were -0.14 to 0.12 s and -3.19 to 2.16 min respectively. There were no diþerences between trials for heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, body mass change during exercise, or blood lactate and glucose concentrations during the test. Thus, we conclude that the sprint times and the Part B run times were reproducible within the limits previously stated. In addition, the activity pattern and the physiological and metabolic responses closely simulated the match demands of soccer. Keywords : high-intensity running, physiological responses, test±retest reliability. Introduction The match demands of the `multiple-sprint’ sports, such as soccer, hockey and rugby, consist of periods of support running and recovery interspersed with brief periods of sprinting. Match analyses provide some insight into the physical demands of the sports in terms of distance covered, both absolutely and at diþerent intensities. These observations also provide information about work-to-rest ratios, number of physical contacts, time spent in possession of the ball, numbers of tackles, headers (exclusive to soccer) and rucks, lineouts, scrums and mauls (exclusive to rugby). Some investigators have * Address all correspondence to Ceri W. Nicholas, Department of Physical Education, Sports Science and Recreation Management, Loughborough University, Ashby Road, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK. e-mail: c.w.nicholas@lboro.ac.uk also monitored heart rate response, blood metabolite changes, and estimated energy expenditure and oxygen consumption during matches (Ali and Farrally, 1991; Smith et al., 1992; Boyle et al ., 1994; Deutsch et al ., 1998). However, because of the lack of control of the pattern and intensity of exercise in a game, it is diýcult to assess the bene®ts of intervention, such as changes in pre-match diet. Investigators have tried to replicate the demands of the multiple-sprint sports in the labora- tory using a non-motorized treadmill (Nevill et al ., 1993) or using a combination of ®eld and laboratory tests (Bangsbo et al ., 1992). We designed a free running test, performed indoors, which simulates the activity patterns common to soccer, without any contact (Nicholas et al ., 1995). The aims of this study were to describe selected physiological and metabolic responses to this intermittent high-intensity running test, the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (the LIST),