Reliability and concurrent validity of the PUSH Band™ 2.0 to measure barbell velocity during the free-weight and Smith machine squat exercises. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pérez-Castilla, Alejandro; García-Ramos, Amador; Gijón-Nieto, Luis Miguel; Marcos-Blanco, Aitor; García-Pinillos, Felipe
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 236:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 351
• Page End: 359
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Inertial measurement units -- linear position transducer -- sport technology -- strength training -- velocity-based training; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sporting goods -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; Sports -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; 613.71
• DOI: 10.1177/17543371211024018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-3371

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; r range = 0.58–0.75; SEErange = 0.04–0.05 ms −1 and 4.2%–6.0%), 65%1RM (ESrange = 0.26–0.44; r range = 0.63–0.82; SEErange = 0.04–0.06 ms −1 and 6.0%–9.2%), and 85%1RM (ESrange = 0.61–0.64; r range = 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.