Abstract Speed is an important component of physical fitness testing for students around the world. On the whole, the different testing systems usually set up various indexes based on the moving speed, action speed and reaction speed; the indexes are diverse but uniform in number; there are differences in the age of application of the indexes and no gender differences. As far as the classification of indexes is concerned, there are two types of movement:sprinting and shuttle run, for the moving speed test indexes; there are differences in the need for action speed and reaction speed tests. Based on this, from the perspective of energy metabolism and health benefits, the properties and testing methods for measuring moving speed and the need for action speed and reaction speed testing are analyzed. The study shows that acceleration capability should be a measured attribute of moving speed，the 30 m running can be used as a general index of moving speed for all students; the shuttle run is not suitable as an index of moving speed; action speed is less correlated with physical health, so it should not be included in the testing system for the time being; and reaction speed which closely relates to physical health,should be included in the testing system.