Affiliations: [a] Sport and Physical Activity, Faculty of Health and
Wellbeing, University of Cumbria, Lancaster, UK | [b] Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff School of
Sport, Cardiff, UK
Note: [] Corresponding author: Theodoros M. Bampouras, Sport and Physical
Activity, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Cumbria, Bowerham
Road, Lancaster, LA1 3JD, UK. Tel.: +44 0 1524 526 531; Fax: +44 0 1524 526
527; E-mail: theodoros.bampouras@cumbria.ac.uk
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Portable and cost-effective accelerometers can yield
instantaneous results of force, power, and velocity, with minimum set-up time
to assess muscle power. However, such devices must also produce both valid and
reliable data. OBJECTIVE: The current study assessed the validity and reliability
of the Myotest Pro wireless accelerometer (ACC). METHODS: Thirty physically active males performed two squat jump,
on two separate sessions. The jump was recorded simultaneously by a
force platform and ACC, which was attached to a barbell resting on the
subjects' shoulders. Validity was determined using Pearson correlation
coefficient (r) and t-test between the maximum force platform
(F_{FP}) and ACC (F_{ACC}) force. Between
session reliability of F_{ACC}, power
(P_{ACC}) and velocity (V_{ACC}) from the
ACC were assessed with t-test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and
coefficient of variation (CV). RESULTS: F_{ACC} correlated highly to
F_{FP} (r=0.815, p< 0.05), but there was a proportionate
ratio bias of 0.81. There was no difference between sessions (p> 0.05) for
any variable. High ICCs were found for all variables
(F_{ACC} 0.90; P_{ACC} 0.80;
V_{ACC} 0.84). Low CV was found for
F_{ACC} (2.1%), P_{ACC} (3.3%) and
V_{ACC} (3.2%). CONCLUSIONS: ACC is a valid and reliable tool to use for assessing
barbell movement, but caution in power data interpretation is needed.
Keywords: Field measurement, muscle performance, power assessment, power production, test-retest design
