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Submaximal Fitness Test
The Submaximal Fitness Test (SMFT) is a standardized test in which athletes perform the same external load, for example a run at a set speed, for a short time. Firstbeat Sports compares each athlete's heart rate (HR) response with the athlete's earlier tests to track changes in fitness.
Video: introduction to the Submaximal Fitness Test and how to run the test with Firstbeat Sports.
Availability
- Submaximal testing is an add-on that can be added to any subscription tier. Submaximal testing is not included by default in any tier.
- In Firstbeat Sports Cloud, the tools are in the Reporting Tool under Fitness Testing. In the Firstbeat Sports: Coach app, live testing is in the Fitness Testing view.
Protocols
- Every test uses a protocol with a name, a duration, a sport and an optional heart rate recovery phase. Example: "SMFT: 12km/h; 50m", a 4-minute run.
- Create and edit protocols in the Fitness Testing tool of the Reporting Tool in Sports Cloud.
Ways to run a test
- Live in the Coach app: Start the test for all athletes or one by one and follow each athlete's live HR. Several protocols can run at the same time. After the Sensor data download, the report opens in Sports Cloud.
- Afterwards in Sports Cloud: Select the protocol, the date and the athletes in the Fitness Testing tool and set the test start time. Use this way when athletes test by themselves or when the test was not started in the Coach app.
Key metrics
- Peak %HRmax (60s): The highest 60-second average HR during the test, as a percentage of maximum heart rate (HRmax). A clearly lower value than in previous tests indicates improved condition.
- Heart rate recovery (60s, %): The greatest 60-second HR decrease after exercise, as a percentage of HRmax.
Data quality
- The test compares the HR response to the same load over a short time, so data quality is crucial.
- Moisten the HR straps well before the test. The test is usually done at the start of training, when athletes are not yet sweating.
Further learning
- Firstbeat blog: fitness testing in elite sport
- Firstbeat training: introduction to submaximal fitness testing
- Firstbeat webinar: monitoring adaptations using HR responses to submaximal exercise
Need more help? Ask the Customer Agent chat on this page or email support@firstbeat.com.