Validity and Reliability of Inertial Motion Unit-Based Performance Metrics During Wheelchair Racing Propulsion

This study aims to evaluate the concurrent validity and test–retest reliability of wheelchair racing performance metrics. Thirteen individuals without disabilities and experience in wheelchair racing were evaluated twice while performing maximal efforts on a racing wheelchair. Three wheelchair athle...

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Main Authors: Raphaël Ouellet, Katia Turcot, Nathalie Séguin, Alexandre Campeau-Lecour, Jason Bouffard
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1680
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author Raphaël Ouellet
Katia Turcot
Nathalie Séguin
Alexandre Campeau-Lecour
Jason Bouffard
author_facet Raphaël Ouellet
Katia Turcot
Nathalie Séguin
Alexandre Campeau-Lecour
Jason Bouffard
author_sort Raphaël Ouellet
collection DOAJ
description This study aims to evaluate the concurrent validity and test–retest reliability of wheelchair racing performance metrics. Thirteen individuals without disabilities and experience in wheelchair racing were evaluated twice while performing maximal efforts on a racing wheelchair. Three wheelchair athletes were also assessed to compare their performance with novice participants. The wheelchair kinematics was estimated using an inertial motion unit (IMU) positioned on the frame and a light detection and ranging (Lidar) system. The propulsion cycle (PC) duration, acceleration, average speed, speed gains during acceleration, and speed loss during deceleration were estimated for the first PC and stable PCs. The test–retest reliability was generally moderate (0.50 ≤ ICC < 0.75) to good (0.75 ≤ ICC < 0.90), while few metrics showed poor reliability (ICC < 0.50). High to very high correlations were obtained between both systems for 10 out of 11 metrics (0.78–0.99). Wheelchair athletes performed better than novice participants. Our results suggest that integrated accelerometer data could be used to assess wheelchair speed characteristics over a short distance with a known passage time. Such fine-grain analyses using methods usable in the field could allow for data-informed training in novice and elite wheelchair racing athletes.
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spelling doaj-art-4eed85d2a4b34f159b5600bbb7a536e32025-08-20T02:43:06ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-03-01256168010.3390/s25061680Validity and Reliability of Inertial Motion Unit-Based Performance Metrics During Wheelchair Racing PropulsionRaphaël Ouellet0Katia Turcot1Nathalie Séguin2Alexandre Campeau-Lecour3Jason Bouffard4Département de Kinésiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaDépartement de Kinésiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaClub d’athlétisme de l’Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaCentre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Réadaptation et Intégration Sociale (CIRRIS), CIUSSS de la Capitale Nationale, Québec, QC G1M 2S8, CanadaDépartement de Kinésiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaThis study aims to evaluate the concurrent validity and test–retest reliability of wheelchair racing performance metrics. Thirteen individuals without disabilities and experience in wheelchair racing were evaluated twice while performing maximal efforts on a racing wheelchair. Three wheelchair athletes were also assessed to compare their performance with novice participants. The wheelchair kinematics was estimated using an inertial motion unit (IMU) positioned on the frame and a light detection and ranging (Lidar) system. The propulsion cycle (PC) duration, acceleration, average speed, speed gains during acceleration, and speed loss during deceleration were estimated for the first PC and stable PCs. The test–retest reliability was generally moderate (0.50 ≤ ICC < 0.75) to good (0.75 ≤ ICC < 0.90), while few metrics showed poor reliability (ICC < 0.50). High to very high correlations were obtained between both systems for 10 out of 11 metrics (0.78–0.99). Wheelchair athletes performed better than novice participants. Our results suggest that integrated accelerometer data could be used to assess wheelchair speed characteristics over a short distance with a known passage time. Such fine-grain analyses using methods usable in the field could allow for data-informed training in novice and elite wheelchair racing athletes.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1680adapted sportsreproducibility of resultsbiomechanicsaccelerometryinertial sensor
spellingShingle Raphaël Ouellet
Katia Turcot
Nathalie Séguin
Alexandre Campeau-Lecour
Jason Bouffard
Validity and Reliability of Inertial Motion Unit-Based Performance Metrics During Wheelchair Racing Propulsion
Sensors
adapted sports
reproducibility of results
biomechanics
accelerometry
inertial sensor
title Validity and Reliability of Inertial Motion Unit-Based Performance Metrics During Wheelchair Racing Propulsion
title_full Validity and Reliability of Inertial Motion Unit-Based Performance Metrics During Wheelchair Racing Propulsion
title_fullStr Validity and Reliability of Inertial Motion Unit-Based Performance Metrics During Wheelchair Racing Propulsion
title_full_unstemmed Validity and Reliability of Inertial Motion Unit-Based Performance Metrics During Wheelchair Racing Propulsion
title_short Validity and Reliability of Inertial Motion Unit-Based Performance Metrics During Wheelchair Racing Propulsion
title_sort validity and reliability of inertial motion unit based performance metrics during wheelchair racing propulsion
topic adapted sports
reproducibility of results
biomechanics
accelerometry
inertial sensor
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1680
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AT nathalieseguin validityandreliabilityofinertialmotionunitbasedperformancemetricsduringwheelchairracingpropulsion
AT alexandrecampeaulecour validityandreliabilityofinertialmotionunitbasedperformancemetricsduringwheelchairracingpropulsion
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