Concurrent Validity and Inter-Rater Reliability of Hand-Held Measurements of Maximal Sprint Speed

Background: Maximal sprinting speed (MSS) is an essential component of success in many sports. Currently, many systems are used to accurately evaluate athletes’ MSS, including laser or radar guns, single- or dual-beam photocells, high-speed cameras, and high-frequency global positioning systems. How...

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Main Authors: Bartosz Zając, Paulina Gaj, Jakub Zięba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego im. Bronisława Czecha w Krakowie 2022-11-01
Series:Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences
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Online Access:http://jkes.eu/gicid/01.3001.0016.1225
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author Bartosz Zając
Paulina Gaj
Jakub Zięba
author_facet Bartosz Zając
Paulina Gaj
Jakub Zięba
author_sort Bartosz Zając
collection DOAJ
description Background: Maximal sprinting speed (MSS) is an essential component of success in many sports. Currently, many systems are used to accurately evaluate athletes’ MSS, including laser or radar guns, single- or dual-beam photocells, high-speed cameras, and high-frequency global positioning systems. However, the cost of these devices may be an obstacle to their implementation into practice. The least expensive but most likely less accurate alternative method of MSS evaluation is the hand-held time measurement of a 30m flying-start sprint. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the concurrent validity and inter-rater reliability o the hand-held method of MSS measurement. Materials and Methods: The study involved 3 experienced raters and 18 amateur runners. Runners performed 2-3 trials of the 30m maximal flying-start sprint. In total, 40 observations were collected. Each sprint time was measured simultaneously by raters using a hand-held stopwatch and an electronic timing system. Criterion validity (hand-held vs. electronic timing) was assessed using linear regression analysis. Inter-rater reliability between hand-held timers was evaluated using interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC). Results: Results showed that single and average hand-held methods are affected by -0.17 to -0.07ms-1 (-2.5 to -1.6%) and -0.12ms- 1 (-1.7%) errors, respectively. Linear regression analysis parameters (free parameter not statistically significant, directional coefficient 0.994-1.057, standard error of estimation 0.073-0.125, R2 0.981-0.994) indicated statistically excellent absolute agreement between a hand-held (single and average) and electronic timing. ICCs of 0.980-0.994, SEM of 0.12ms-1 (1.87%), and MDC of 0.34ms-1 (5.18%) indicated statistically excellent absolute agreement and consistency for single and average measurements between hand-held timers. Conclusion: The proposed manual method of MSS measurement underestimates athletes’ speed performance. Moreover, the hand-held 30m flying-start sprint time measurement is affected by a 2% error, and a minimum 5% time change in an individual athlete demonstrates that the change is not simply attributable to measurement error.
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spelling doaj-art-e85ade5f8b4b4189b692e04549fd216e2025-08-20T02:57:28ZengAkademia Wychowania Fizycznego im. Bronisława Czecha w KrakowieJournal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences2956-45812022-11-0132100152110.5604/01.3001.0016.122501.3001.0016.1225Concurrent Validity and Inter-Rater Reliability of Hand-Held Measurements of Maximal Sprint SpeedBartosz Zając0Paulina Gaj1Jakub Zięba2Laboratory of Functional Diagnostics, Central Scientific and Research Laboratory, University of Physical Education in Kraków, PolandCracow Academy of Track-and-Field Sports, Kraków, PolandUniversity of Physical Education in Kraków, PolandBackground: Maximal sprinting speed (MSS) is an essential component of success in many sports. Currently, many systems are used to accurately evaluate athletes’ MSS, including laser or radar guns, single- or dual-beam photocells, high-speed cameras, and high-frequency global positioning systems. However, the cost of these devices may be an obstacle to their implementation into practice. The least expensive but most likely less accurate alternative method of MSS evaluation is the hand-held time measurement of a 30m flying-start sprint. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the concurrent validity and inter-rater reliability o the hand-held method of MSS measurement. Materials and Methods: The study involved 3 experienced raters and 18 amateur runners. Runners performed 2-3 trials of the 30m maximal flying-start sprint. In total, 40 observations were collected. Each sprint time was measured simultaneously by raters using a hand-held stopwatch and an electronic timing system. Criterion validity (hand-held vs. electronic timing) was assessed using linear regression analysis. Inter-rater reliability between hand-held timers was evaluated using interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC). Results: Results showed that single and average hand-held methods are affected by -0.17 to -0.07ms-1 (-2.5 to -1.6%) and -0.12ms- 1 (-1.7%) errors, respectively. Linear regression analysis parameters (free parameter not statistically significant, directional coefficient 0.994-1.057, standard error of estimation 0.073-0.125, R2 0.981-0.994) indicated statistically excellent absolute agreement between a hand-held (single and average) and electronic timing. ICCs of 0.980-0.994, SEM of 0.12ms-1 (1.87%), and MDC of 0.34ms-1 (5.18%) indicated statistically excellent absolute agreement and consistency for single and average measurements between hand-held timers. Conclusion: The proposed manual method of MSS measurement underestimates athletes’ speed performance. Moreover, the hand-held 30m flying-start sprint time measurement is affected by a 2% error, and a minimum 5% time change in an individual athlete demonstrates that the change is not simply attributable to measurement error.http://jkes.eu/gicid/01.3001.0016.1225concurrent validityinter-rater reliabilityhand-held timingmaximal sprint speed
spellingShingle Bartosz Zając
Paulina Gaj
Jakub Zięba
Concurrent Validity and Inter-Rater Reliability of Hand-Held Measurements of Maximal Sprint Speed
Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences
concurrent validity
inter-rater reliability
hand-held timing
maximal sprint speed
title Concurrent Validity and Inter-Rater Reliability of Hand-Held Measurements of Maximal Sprint Speed
title_full Concurrent Validity and Inter-Rater Reliability of Hand-Held Measurements of Maximal Sprint Speed
title_fullStr Concurrent Validity and Inter-Rater Reliability of Hand-Held Measurements of Maximal Sprint Speed
title_full_unstemmed Concurrent Validity and Inter-Rater Reliability of Hand-Held Measurements of Maximal Sprint Speed
title_short Concurrent Validity and Inter-Rater Reliability of Hand-Held Measurements of Maximal Sprint Speed
title_sort concurrent validity and inter rater reliability of hand held measurements of maximal sprint speed
topic concurrent validity
inter-rater reliability
hand-held timing
maximal sprint speed
url http://jkes.eu/gicid/01.3001.0016.1225
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AT paulinagaj concurrentvalidityandinterraterreliabilityofhandheldmeasurementsofmaximalsprintspeed
AT jakubzieba concurrentvalidityandinterraterreliabilityofhandheldmeasurementsofmaximalsprintspeed