The Reliability of 20 m Sprint Time Using a Novel Assessment Technique

Sprint acceleration is critical for success in team sports. This study aimed to (a) establish the test–retest reliability of a novel method for assessing 20 m sprint performance and (b) determine the magnitude of meaningful change in 20 m sprint times. Thirty highly trained male team sport athletes...

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Main Authors: Patrick M. Holmberg, Mico H. Olivier, Vincent G. Kelly
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/7/2077
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author Patrick M. Holmberg
Mico H. Olivier
Vincent G. Kelly
author_facet Patrick M. Holmberg
Mico H. Olivier
Vincent G. Kelly
author_sort Patrick M. Holmberg
collection DOAJ
description Sprint acceleration is critical for success in team sports. This study aimed to (a) establish the test–retest reliability of a novel method for assessing 20 m sprint performance and (b) determine the magnitude of meaningful change in 20 m sprint times. Thirty highly trained male team sport athletes completed sprint testing (2 × 20 m [separated by 5 min]) on two separate occasions, separated by 7 days. Sprint times (0–20, 0–10, 10–20 m) were recorded using infrared timing gates (Brower Timing Systems, West Valley City, UT, USA) connected to a motion start sensor positioned at the participant’s rear leg while in a 2-point starting stance. 0–20, 0–10, and 10–20 m sprint times demonstrated acceptable reliability (CV = 0.52–1.36%, ICC = 0.89–0.95). Additionally, the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) was greater than the typical error (TE [95% CI]) for 0–20 (0.025 s) and 0–10 m (0.016 s) sprint times, indicating that meaningful changes can be reliably detected between testing sessions. However, the SWC was less than the TE for 10–20 m sprint times. This suggests the method may not reliably detect meaningful changes in sprint performance over this distance. As such, the minimal detectable change (95% CI) should be considered the threshold for meaningful change (0.033 s). The consistent and low TE across sprint distances highlights the test–retest reliability of the method for assessing 0–20 m sprint times in this population of highly trained male team sport athletes.
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spelling doaj-art-2d423e8a09fb4efb92345236f1c357262025-08-20T02:09:11ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-03-01257207710.3390/s25072077The Reliability of 20 m Sprint Time Using a Novel Assessment TechniquePatrick M. Holmberg0Mico H. Olivier1Vincent G. Kelly2School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, AustraliaSchool of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, AustraliaSchool of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, AustraliaSprint acceleration is critical for success in team sports. This study aimed to (a) establish the test–retest reliability of a novel method for assessing 20 m sprint performance and (b) determine the magnitude of meaningful change in 20 m sprint times. Thirty highly trained male team sport athletes completed sprint testing (2 × 20 m [separated by 5 min]) on two separate occasions, separated by 7 days. Sprint times (0–20, 0–10, 10–20 m) were recorded using infrared timing gates (Brower Timing Systems, West Valley City, UT, USA) connected to a motion start sensor positioned at the participant’s rear leg while in a 2-point starting stance. 0–20, 0–10, and 10–20 m sprint times demonstrated acceptable reliability (CV = 0.52–1.36%, ICC = 0.89–0.95). Additionally, the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) was greater than the typical error (TE [95% CI]) for 0–20 (0.025 s) and 0–10 m (0.016 s) sprint times, indicating that meaningful changes can be reliably detected between testing sessions. However, the SWC was less than the TE for 10–20 m sprint times. This suggests the method may not reliably detect meaningful changes in sprint performance over this distance. As such, the minimal detectable change (95% CI) should be considered the threshold for meaningful change (0.033 s). The consistent and low TE across sprint distances highlights the test–retest reliability of the method for assessing 0–20 m sprint times in this population of highly trained male team sport athletes.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/7/2077motion start sensorreliabilitysprint testingteam sportstiming gates
spellingShingle Patrick M. Holmberg
Mico H. Olivier
Vincent G. Kelly
The Reliability of 20 m Sprint Time Using a Novel Assessment Technique
Sensors
motion start sensor
reliability
sprint testing
team sports
timing gates
title The Reliability of 20 m Sprint Time Using a Novel Assessment Technique
title_full The Reliability of 20 m Sprint Time Using a Novel Assessment Technique
title_fullStr The Reliability of 20 m Sprint Time Using a Novel Assessment Technique
title_full_unstemmed The Reliability of 20 m Sprint Time Using a Novel Assessment Technique
title_short The Reliability of 20 m Sprint Time Using a Novel Assessment Technique
title_sort reliability of 20 m sprint time using a novel assessment technique
topic motion start sensor
reliability
sprint testing
team sports
timing gates
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/7/2077
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