This is part one of the FIFA Fitness Tests for Referees and Assistant Referees, also called the FIFA High-Intensity Fitness Test. The test involves 6 x 40m sprints followed by a maximum of 1 minute 30 seconds recovery after each sprint. See also the FIFA Interval Test - Part 2.

• purpose: this is a test the ability to recover between sprints and produce high intensity sprints repeatedly, designed to test the physical demands of soccer referees.
• equipment required: timing gates (or 2 stopwatches), stopwatch for timing recovery, measuring tape, marker cones, at least 50 meters of running track.
• procedure: timing gates (preferred) and marker cones are placed 40 meters apart to indicate the sprint distance. A start line is also marked 1.5 meters before the timing gates. The subject's front foot is placed behind the starting line, and when ready begins the first sprint, running maximally through the gate 40m away. The sprint time is recorded. A stopwatch is used to record the recovery time. The subject has 1.5 minutes to return the start, before sprinting again (it is assumed that each sprint starts on 1min 30 sec, e.g. 3min, 4.5min, 6 min etc - not 1 min 30 sec recovery between each sprint). A total of 6 sprints are completed.
• variation: If it is not possible to record the times using timing gates, stopwatches and two assistants are required. One person signals the moment the subject runs through the first gate using a flag signal, while the second person is positioned in line with the second gate and stops the stopwatch when the subject runs past the 40m marker.

• scoring: To pass the test, referees are required to achieve a certain standard sprint time for all sprints. For the men, each sprint must be under 6.2 seconds for international referees, 6.0 seconds for international assistant referees, 6.4 seconds for national referees, 6.2 seconds for national assistant referees. For women referees, each sprint must be under 6.6 seconds for international referees, 6.4 seconds for international assistant referees, 6.8 seconds for national referees, 6.6 seconds for national assistant referees. If a referee falls or trips, they are given another trial (40 m). If a referee does not achieve the standard in 1 trial out of the six, then they are given 1 more trial (and one only) immediately after the 6th trial. If they fails 2 trials, the test is failed.

• target population: This test was developed specifically for soccer referees, though it is suitable for similar sports teams which are intermittent in nature, such as basketball, hockey, rugby, and AFL.
• comments: athletics spikes may not be worn.