Which of the following is an example of an ESD test?

• A. Yo-Yo
• B. 100m sprint
• C. VO2 max test
• D. Vertical jump

Answer: (A)

Endurance during repeated, high-intensity efforts with brief recoveries is what an ESD test measures. The Yo-Yo test fits this exactly: athletes shuttle back and forth over a set distance, incrementally increasing speed, with short recovery periods between runs. The test continues until the athlete can no longer maintain the pace, and the total distance covered serves as the performance score. This setup mirrors the demands of many team and field sports, where players repeatedly accelerate, reach high intensities, and must recover quickly to keep working.

Other common tests target different qualities. A 100-meter sprint looks at raw sprint speed in a single explosive effort, not the ability to sustain repeated efforts. A VO2 max test determines maximal oxygen uptake during a continuous graded workout, focusing on aerobic capacity rather than intermittent endurance. A vertical jump assesses explosive leg power rather than endurance across repeated efforts.

So the Yo-Yo test is the best example of an ESD test because it directly evaluates the ability to perform repeated high-intensity work with short recoveries.