Reliability and comparability of the accelerometer and the linear position measuring device in resistance training.

The purpose of this study was to determine the intermachine reliability attained from devices used to measure the common variables in sports performance. Repeatability conditions were established by creating a similar set of conditions under which the measurements were taken from both devices. The objectives of this research were to demonstrate the reliability between two devices in a bench press movement--the linear position measuring device (LPM) isoinertial dynamometer (T-Force) and the 3D (Myotest) accelerometer (AC)--and to compare the existing correlations between maximum velocity, maximum estimated strength, and peak power estimate variables in the bench press exercise. Forty bench press exercise trials were analyzed simultaneously, performed by 3 different subjects (age: 26.74 ± 1.2 years, height: 175.74 ± 4.04 cm, weight: 78.7 ± 3.35 kg) at maximum velocity (25 kg additional load). Three simple linear regression models were developed, supplied by the LPM on the basis of the AC data. The assumption of independence of errors was compared by means of the Durban-Watson test, and partial autocorrelation coefficients were established at an overall p < 0.05 significance level. It has not been possible to confirm the presence of a general correlation between the measurements of both devices. Regarding the assumption of independence of errors, the presence of generalized autocorrelation was confirmed. Linear regression analysis revealed an intermachine correlation in one of the nonconclusive cases, (peak power) variable and subject 1, r (10) = 0.640, p = 0.024. No partial autocorrelation was found. The devices should not be used interchangeably as instruments.

Relation between total body load and session rating of perceived exertion in professional soccer players.

The aims of this study were to assess (a) the validity of total body load (TBL)-obtained from the global position system (GPS) devices-to quantify soccer training load, assessing its relationship with session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) and (b) to analyze the differences in terms of TBL and session-RPE among defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Twenty-two professional soccer players (Spanish first division, season 2007-2008; 26.74 ± 4.2 years; height 179.74 ± 4.04 cm; weight 73.7 ± 3.35 kg) participated in the study. During 13 training sessions composed predominantly of small-sided games, TBL and RPE multiplied by the minutes of session duration were determined using GPS and the 21-point scale, respectively. In each session, data from 10 players randomly selected and classified according to player position (defenders, midfielders, and forwards) were collected. Although session-RPE was a significant predictor of TBL (ß = 0.23, p < 0.05), this method only accounted for 5% of the variance in TBL. No significant differences in terms of TBL and session-RPE were found regarding player position. The results of this study suggest that TBL is not a valid measure to quantify training load because it is not strongly correlated with session-RPE. Furthermore, TBL and session-RPE in small-sided soccer games do not vary according to player positions.