Reliability and concurrent validity of the PUSH Band™ 2.0 to measure barbell velocity during the free-weight and Smith machine squat exercises

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the PUSH Band™ 2.0 to measure barbell’s velocity during unconstrained (free-weights) and constrained (Smith machine) squat exercises. After an initial assessment of the Smith machine squat one-repetition maximum (1RM), 24 resistance-trained males completed one or two testing sessions separated by 7 days. In one session, the squat was performed with free-weights ( n = 22), while in another session, the Smith machine was used ( n = 16). Both testing sessions consisted of two blocks of eight repetitions (three repetitions at 45%1RM, three repetitions at 65%1RM, and two repetitions at 85%1RM). The mean velocity of the lifting phase was simultaneously recorded with the PUSH Band™ 2.0 and a gold-standard linear velocity transducer (T-Force® System). The PUSH Band™ 2.0 generally revealed an acceptable reliability (CVrange = 5.81%–13.14%), but the reliability was always greater for the T-Force® System (CVrange = 2.95%–7.86%). Regardless of the squat exercise, the concurrent validity of the PUSH Band™ 2.0 with respect to the T-Force® System was generally low at 45%1RM (ESrange = 0.18–0.33; rrange = 0.58–0.75; SEErange = 0.04–0.05 ms−1 and 4.2%–6.0%), 65%1RM (ESrange = 0.26–0.44; rrange = 0.63–0.82; SEErange = 0.04–0.06 ms−1 and 6.0%–9.2%), and 85%1RM (ESrange = 0.61–0.64; rrange = 0.66–0.82; SEErange = 0.05–0.07 ms−1 and 11.4%–16.0%). Taken together, these results suggest that the PUSH Band™ 2.0 is a reliable, but not valid, wearable technology to measure the barbell velocity during the free-weight and Smith machine squat exercises.