What is the Flying 30 test and what does it measure?

• A. A 50 m sprint with a jog finish to measure endurance.
• B. A test where a 20 m run-up is used into a 30 m maximal sprint; it measures top-end velocity and acceleration quality.
• C. A test with a 10 m dash from a standing start to measure reaction time.
• D. A 60 m sprint with a flying start to measure sprint endurance.

Answer: (B)

The Flying 30 test isolates speed capability by using a running start to reach top speed and then measure performance over a 30 m flying segment. The 20 m run-up lets the sprinter build up momentum so the subsequent 30 m reflects how quickly they can accelerate to, and maintain, near-maximal velocity rather than how fast they can start from rest. In essence, it provides a measure of top-end velocity and the quality of acceleration into that speed zone. This is different from a standing-start sprint, which emphasizes initial explosion, or a longer sprint designed to assess endurance and sustained speed.

The other options don’t fit this purpose: a longer sprint with a jog finish isn’t about top-end speed isolation; a short standing start focuses on reaction and early acceleration but not flying velocity; and a longer flying-start sprint would emphasize endurance more than the specific acceleration quality into maximal speed.