Assessing Trail Running Biomechanics: A Comparative Analysis of the Reliability of StrydTM and GARMINRP Wearable Devices

Abstract

This study investigated biomechanical assessments in trail running, comparing two wearable devices—Stryd Power Meter and GARMINRP. With the growing popularity of trail running and the complexities of varied terrains, there is a heightened interest in understanding metabolic pathways, biomechanics, and performance factors. The research aimed to assess the inter- and intra-device agreement for biomechanics under ecological conditions, focusing on power, speed, cadence, vertical oscillation, and contact time. The participants engaged in trail running sessions while wearing two Stryd and two Garmin devices. The intra-device reliability demonstrated high consistency for both GARMINRP and StrydTM, with strong correlations and minimal variability. However, distinctions emerged in inter-device agreement, particularly in power and contact time uphill, and vertical oscillation downhill, suggesting potential variations between GARMINRP and StrydTM measurements for specific running metrics. The study underscores that caution should be taken in interpreting device data, highlighting the importance of measuring with the same device, considering contextual and individual factors, and acknowledging the limited research under real-world trail conditions. While the small sample size and participant variations were limitations, the strength of this study lies in conducting this investigation under ecological conditions, significantly contributing to the field of biomechanical measurements in trail running.