title: Validity of a Wearable Accelerometer Device to Measure Average Acceleration Values During High-Speed Running.
abstract: Alexander, JP, Hopkinson, TL, Wundersitz, DWT, Serpell, BG, Mara, JK, and Ball, NB. Validity of a wearable accelerometer device to measure average acceleration values during high-speed running. J Strength Cond Res 30(11): 3007-3013, 2016-The aim of this study was to determine the validity of an accelerometer to measure average acceleration values during high-speed running. Thirteen subjects performed three sprint efforts over a 40-m distance (n = 39). Acceleration was measured using a 100-Hz triaxial accelerometer integrated within a wearable tracking device (SPI-HPU; GPSports). To provide a concurrent measure of acceleration, timing gates were positioned at 10-m intervals (0-40 m). Accelerometer data collected during 0-10 m and 10-20 m provided a measure of average acceleration values. Accelerometer data was recorded as the raw output and filtered by applying a 3-point moving average and a 10-point moving average. The accelerometer could not measure average acceleration values during high-speed running. The accelerometer significantly overestimated average acceleration values during both 0-10 m and 10-20 m, regardless of the data filtering technique (p < 0.001). Body mass significantly affected all accelerometer variables (p < 0.10, partial η = 0.091-0.219). Body mass and the absence of a gravity compensation formula affect the accuracy and practicality of accelerometers. Until GPSports-integrated accelerometers incorporate a gravity compensation formula, the usefulness of any accelerometer-derived algorithms is questionable.
authors.affiliation: 1Brumbies Rugby, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia; 2Centre for Exercise and Sport Science, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia; 3La Trobe Rural Health School, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Flora Hill Campus, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia; and 4Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeremy P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Trent L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Hopkinson
authors.forename: Daniel W T
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Wundersitz
authors.forename: Benjamin G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Serpell
authors.forename: Jocelyn K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Mara
authors.forename: Nick B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Ball
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*