Validity and reliability of the VXSport (Omni) device on basketball movement parameters

Abstract

The use of inertial devices in sport have become increasingly common. The aim of this study was to examine the within-day validity and reliability of a relatively new inertial measurement unit at measuring basketball movement parameters. Eighteen well-trained basketball players completed several individual performance tests including linear running and change of directions, acceleration, and decelerations, jumping and impacts to measure the validity and reliability of the microtechnology. The players also completed a specific test called the Basketball Exercise Simulation Test (BEST) to investigate whether the microtechnology could accurately detect more dynamic movements. Pearsons’s correlations were determined linking assessments of the practical measures taken from the inertial measurement unit to criterion measures. Testing revealed good validity between the microtechnology and criterion measures with the 20 m run test at various velocities (6 km.h-1, 12 km.h-1, 18 km.h-1, 24 km.h-1, maximal speed km.h-1 (mean bias <5%). However, total distance, body collisions, accelerations and decelerations showed lower validity (mean bias >10%). Total distance, number of sprints, number of sprints >15 km.h-1, number of decelerations >3m.s-2, number of accelerations and decelerations showed very large to nearly perfect reliability (ICC = 0.88 – 0.99). Whereas, relative distance (m.min-1), maximal speed (km.h-1), total number of accelerations (>3 m.s-2), total number of jumps, average heart rate showed high reliability (ICC 0.77 – 0.87). These results demonstrate the units were able to accurately detect most basketball movement patterns correctly with good repeatability.