Watch: Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and all you need to know about the Yo-Yo test

Mumbai: Making it big as an athlete in any sports is not a walk in the park. Elite-level and professional athletes undergo many fitness tests and follow that up with particular nutrition routines to compete against the best. 

After it was widely reported that Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina were ousted from Team India for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka due to failing the Yo-Yo Test, here’s an in-depth view of how the Test goes about.  

What is it? 

The ‘Yo-Yo’ is one of the many important tests that cricketers undergo as a part of their selection. The test measures an individual’s ability to perform repeated interval runs over an extended period of time to record their endurance levels. 

Cricketers previously had to undergo a beep test which focused on continuously running back and forth over a particular distance. However, the Yo-Yo test is more advanced, as trainers get a brief pause between each set of runs that make it function like a Yo-Yo, hence giving it the name. 

How does it work? 

The entire process is a software generated test where the results are recorded. 

The test requires cones to be placed out in two lines with a distance of 20 meters. Starting behind the 5m marker, the participant begins running 20m towards the final marker when instructed by the automatic audio track.

Upon reaching the marker (and hearing a beep), the participant needs to return back to the starting marker before the next beep. 

He/she is then provided with an ‘active recovery period’ consisting of 10 or fewer seconds and has to set himself back at the original marker for the next race that is faster than the previous one. 

If the participant fails to make it before the beep after each run during a particular time, a warning is signalled and if they fail to keep up the pace, it’s the end of the test. 

How long does it take? 

The duration of the test is about half-an-hour and withstanding the whole test is not possible (unless your fitness levels are impeccable). 

Scores required to pass the test 

"On an average, the Australian cricketers score 21 in Yo-Yo test. Here Virat, Ravindra Jadeja, Manish Pandey regularly hit that score while others are either touching 19.5 or is hitting above that score," an unknown BCCI official was quoted by PTI. 

However, both Yuvraj and Raina scored well below the acceptable level of 19.5 with the former barely managing to reach 16 – the basic score for starters.  

Previously, former India captain MS Dhoni took to Instagram about the speed test he completed at the NCA. Dhoni ran the 20-metre race in 2.91 seconds and completed the run-a-three race in 8.30 seconds. 

Fitness standards have been a vital factor when considering selection with Team India coach Ravi Shastri, captain Virat Kohli and chief selector MSK Prasad making it clear standards are non-negotiable.