Validity of Force and Power Measures from an Integrated Rotary Encoder in a HandyGym Portable Flywheel Exercise Device

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the HandyGym portable flywheel device with an integrated rotary encoder in measuring force and power during iso-inertial exercises compared to a traditional reference system. Methods: In total, 10 trained volunteers (3 women, 7 men; age 25.2...

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Main Authors: Víctor Illera-Domínguez, Xavier Font-Aragonés, Víctor Toro-Román, Samuel Díaz-Alejandre, Carla Pérez-Chirinos, Lluís Albesa-Albiol, Sara González-Millán, Bruno Fernández-Valdés
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9832
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author Víctor Illera-Domínguez
Xavier Font-Aragonés
Víctor Toro-Román
Samuel Díaz-Alejandre
Carla Pérez-Chirinos
Lluís Albesa-Albiol
Sara González-Millán
Bruno Fernández-Valdés
author_facet Víctor Illera-Domínguez
Xavier Font-Aragonés
Víctor Toro-Román
Samuel Díaz-Alejandre
Carla Pérez-Chirinos
Lluís Albesa-Albiol
Sara González-Millán
Bruno Fernández-Valdés
author_sort Víctor Illera-Domínguez
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the HandyGym portable flywheel device with an integrated rotary encoder in measuring force and power during iso-inertial exercises compared to a traditional reference system. Methods: In total, 10 trained volunteers (3 women, 7 men; age 25.2 ± 3.8 years) performed half-squats with five different load configurations using the HandyGym device. Concurrent measurements were obtained from HandyGym’s rotary encoder and a criterion system (MuscleLab 6000 strain gauge and linear encoder). Five load configurations were tested, with 15 repetitions recorded per condition. The validity of the HandyGym measurements was assessed through mean bias, typical error of estimation (TEE), and Pearson correlation coefficients, with Bland–Altman plots used to analyze the agreement between the two systems. Results: The HandyGym showed high correlations with the reference system for both force (r = 0.76–0.90) and power (r = 0.60–0.94). However, systematic biases were observed, with the HandyGym consistently underestimating force and power at lower loads and overestimating power at higher loads. The TEE values indicated moderate to large errors, particularly in power measurements. Conclusion: The HandyGym provides valid force measurements with moderate bias, suitable for general monitoring. However, power measurements are less consistent, especially at higher loads, limiting the device’s utility for precise assessments. Adjustments or corrections may be necessary for accurate application in professional contexts.
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issn 2076-3417
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spelling doaj-art-51b9e8e8eced437e8913144121b1dadc2025-08-20T02:14:15ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-10-011421983210.3390/app14219832Validity of Force and Power Measures from an Integrated Rotary Encoder in a HandyGym Portable Flywheel Exercise DeviceVíctor Illera-Domínguez0Xavier Font-Aragonés1Víctor Toro-Román2Samuel Díaz-Alejandre3Carla Pérez-Chirinos4Lluís Albesa-Albiol5Sara González-Millán6Bruno Fernández-Valdés7Research Group in Technology Applied to High Performance and Health, Department of Health Sciences, TecnoCampus, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08302 Mataró, Barcelona, SpainResearch Group in Technology Applied to High Performance and Health, Department of Health Sciences, TecnoCampus, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08302 Mataró, Barcelona, SpainResearch Group in Technology Applied to High Performance and Health, Department of Health Sciences, TecnoCampus, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08302 Mataró, Barcelona, SpainResearch Group in Technology Applied to High Performance and Health, Department of Health Sciences, TecnoCampus, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08302 Mataró, Barcelona, SpainResearch Group in Technology Applied to High Performance and Health, Department of Health Sciences, TecnoCampus, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08302 Mataró, Barcelona, SpainResearch Group in Technology Applied to High Performance and Health, Department of Health Sciences, TecnoCampus, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08302 Mataró, Barcelona, SpainResearch Group in Technology Applied to High Performance and Health, Department of Health Sciences, TecnoCampus, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08302 Mataró, Barcelona, SpainResearch Group in Technology Applied to High Performance and Health, Department of Health Sciences, TecnoCampus, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08302 Mataró, Barcelona, SpainIntroduction: This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the HandyGym portable flywheel device with an integrated rotary encoder in measuring force and power during iso-inertial exercises compared to a traditional reference system. Methods: In total, 10 trained volunteers (3 women, 7 men; age 25.2 ± 3.8 years) performed half-squats with five different load configurations using the HandyGym device. Concurrent measurements were obtained from HandyGym’s rotary encoder and a criterion system (MuscleLab 6000 strain gauge and linear encoder). Five load configurations were tested, with 15 repetitions recorded per condition. The validity of the HandyGym measurements was assessed through mean bias, typical error of estimation (TEE), and Pearson correlation coefficients, with Bland–Altman plots used to analyze the agreement between the two systems. Results: The HandyGym showed high correlations with the reference system for both force (r = 0.76–0.90) and power (r = 0.60–0.94). However, systematic biases were observed, with the HandyGym consistently underestimating force and power at lower loads and overestimating power at higher loads. The TEE values indicated moderate to large errors, particularly in power measurements. Conclusion: The HandyGym provides valid force measurements with moderate bias, suitable for general monitoring. However, power measurements are less consistent, especially at higher loads, limiting the device’s utility for precise assessments. Adjustments or corrections may be necessary for accurate application in professional contexts.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9832isoinertial trainingstrength trainingsports technologytraining loadmonitoring
spellingShingle Víctor Illera-Domínguez
Xavier Font-Aragonés
Víctor Toro-Román
Samuel Díaz-Alejandre
Carla Pérez-Chirinos
Lluís Albesa-Albiol
Sara González-Millán
Bruno Fernández-Valdés
Validity of Force and Power Measures from an Integrated Rotary Encoder in a HandyGym Portable Flywheel Exercise Device
Applied Sciences
isoinertial training
strength training
sports technology
training load
monitoring
title Validity of Force and Power Measures from an Integrated Rotary Encoder in a HandyGym Portable Flywheel Exercise Device
title_full Validity of Force and Power Measures from an Integrated Rotary Encoder in a HandyGym Portable Flywheel Exercise Device
title_fullStr Validity of Force and Power Measures from an Integrated Rotary Encoder in a HandyGym Portable Flywheel Exercise Device
title_full_unstemmed Validity of Force and Power Measures from an Integrated Rotary Encoder in a HandyGym Portable Flywheel Exercise Device
title_short Validity of Force and Power Measures from an Integrated Rotary Encoder in a HandyGym Portable Flywheel Exercise Device
title_sort validity of force and power measures from an integrated rotary encoder in a handygym portable flywheel exercise device
topic isoinertial training
strength training
sports technology
training load
monitoring
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9832
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