Validity of a portable force platform for assessing biomechanical parameters in three different tasks

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the precision and accuracy of the vertical and anterior-posterior force components of the portable PASCO PS-2142 force plate. Impulse, peak force, and time to peak force were assessed and compared to a gold standard force plate in three different tasks: vertical jump, forward jump, and sprint start. Two healthy male participants performed ten trials for each task, resulting in 60 trials. Data analyses revealed good precision and accuracy for the vertical component of the portable force plate, with relative bias and root mean square (RMS) error values nearly the same in all tasks for the impulse, time to peak force, and peak force parameters. Precision and accuracy of the anterior-posterior component were lower for the impulse and time to peak force, with relative bias and RMS error values nearly the same between tasks. Despite the lower precision and accuracy of the anterior-posterior component of the portable force plate, these errors were systematic, reflecting a good repeatability of the measure. In addition, all variables presented good agreement between the portable and gold standard platforms. Our results provide a good perspective for using the aforementioned portable force plate in sports and clinical biomechanics.

Preliminary Scale of Reference Values for Evaluating Reactive Strength Index-Modified in Male and Female NCAA Division I Athletes

“…With the growing interest in vertical jump testing in athlete performance monitoring [2], as well as the increased accessibility of technology such as portable force platforms [3,4,5,6,7], many new variables derived from a single vertical jump have arisen from the literature. Although the addition of new variables used to characterize jump performance is not necessarily negative, it does however present interpretation and evaluation challenges for practitioners.…”

Which anthropometric and lower body power variables are predictive of professional and amateur playing status in male rugby union players?

“…12 The use of jumps testing using force plates has become increasingly popular, largely due to the fact software packages have been developed which are able to instantly calculate variables including: concentric and eccentric forces, rates of force development and absolute and relative forces. 13 Another commonly employed testing protocol in RU is the Wattbike 6 s maximal effort (WB6S), 1 which is a simple and valid measure of absolute and relative peak power output. 14 These jump and cycling tests have also been employed as load monitoring tools in RU.…”

Validity and Reliability of Mobile Applications for Assessing Strength, Power, Velocity, and Change-of-Direction: A Systematic Review

“…Overall, 11 different apps were tested, in which [ 15 , 19 , 28 , 32 , 37 , 42 ] studies were conducted using the My Jump and My Jump App 2, [ 17 , 18 , 27 , 30 , 34 , 38 , 44 , 46 ] the Powerlift, previously named Mylift, [ 36 ] the Ergo Arm Meter, [ 35 ] the Smartphone accelerometer, [ 33 , 41 ] the Speedclock App, [ 31 ] the MySprint App, [ 29 , 45 ] the ILoad, and [ 26 ] the Styrd App.…”

“…In the case of neuromuscular power (or impulse), not only is weightlifting monitored but so are other movements for which height, flight time, or contact time are considered (e.g., jumping) [ 19 , 20 ]. For assessing strength and power, dynamometers [ 21 , 22 ], linear transducers [ 23 , 24 ], optoelectronic systems [ 25 , 26 ], or force plates [ 27 , 28 ] are usually used to measure the movements and their intensity [ 29 ]. In the case of running velocity (sprinting) or change-of-direction tests, the time of movement between two points is usually the common outcome [ 30 ].…”