Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (14): 2266-2275.doi: 10.12307/2023.428

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Validity of commercial portable velocity testing devices in strength training: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

Liao Kaifang1, 2, Zhang Guochao2, Gu Zhengqiu2, Li Yongming2, 3   

  1. 1School of Exercise Healthy, Guangdong Vocational Institute of Sports, Guangzhou 510663, Guangdong Province, China; 2School of Physical Education and Sport Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; 3China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing 100061, China
  • Received:2022-06-15 Accepted:2022-06-30 Online:2023-05-18 Published:2022-09-30
  • Contact: Li Yongming, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, School of Physical Education and Sport Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing 100061, China
  • About author:Liao Kaifang, PhD candidate, School of Exercise Healthy, Guangdong Vocational Institute of Sports, Guangzhou 510663, Guangdong Province, China; School of Physical Education and Sport Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
  • Supported by:
    the National Key Research and Development Program for “Science and Technology Winter Olympics” Key Special Project, No. 2018FF0300901 (to LYM)

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of different commercial portable velocity testing devices in strength training by systematic and Meta-analysis method. 
METHODS: Related articles were searched in Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI databases. “Appraisal of Study Design for Psychometric Articles” was used as a scale to evaluate the quality of the included studies. In both fixed and random effect models, the Pearson correlated coefficient (r) was aggregated by R language to conduct a Meta-analysis of different types of speed measurement devices. 
RESULTS: A total of 44 and 16 studies were included for qualitative and quantitative analysis, respectively. The general quality of included studies was moderate. Twenty-six brands of velocity testing devices were involved. Qualitative findings in validity: line position transducers and video-based devices < iPhone APP and accelerators, Smith machine > free weight. Quantitative findings in validity: GymAware had high validity for measuring mean velocity [low intensity: r=0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.95-0.99; medium intensity: r=0.98, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99; high intensity: r=0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99] and peak velocity (low intensity: r=0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99; medium intensity: r=0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99; high intensity: r=0.95, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99) in free weight, with a positive correlation with the gold standard (P=0.001). Push had poor validity for measuring mean velocity (low intensity: r=0.69, 95% CI: 0.49-0.82; medium intensity: r=0.69, 95% CI: 0.37-0.86; high intensity: r=0.48, 95% CI: 0.21-0.68) and peak velocity (low intensity: r=0.71, 95% CI: 0.52-0.83; medium intensity: r=0.82, 95% CI: 0.69-0.89; high intensity: r=0.68, 95% CI: 0.37-0.85) in free weight, with a positive correlation with the gold standard (P=0.001). 
CONCLUSION: Existing evidence has confirmed that line position transducer and video-based device have the highest validity, iPhone APP takes the second place, and accelerators are poor in validity. High-valid line position transducers and video-based devices should be applied in velocity-based training rather than accelerators. 

Key words: strength training, velocity-based strength training, musculoskeletal health, velocity measurement, load, line position transducer, accelerator, validity

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