A field test is an effective means of observing how an athlete performs in actual conditions. It typically examines something such as speed, strength, or heart rate for an established range of distance or duration.
The 5K run time trial, the 20-minute FTP test on the bicycle, and the 400-meter swim time trial are examples. Field tests provide explicit and quantified training level goals as well as monitoring progress. Field tests require less apparatus than lab tests and can be integrated into standard workouts. Field testing on a regular basis allows endurance athletes to alter the intensity of training, monitor progress, and prepare for competitions better.
