Validation of the new technology sensor fusion K-50 based on data integration detected by GPS 50 Hz and inertial sensors

Abstract

Advanced technology systems applied to sports are increasingly valid support for operators and technicians in the sector. Useful to improve the correct planning of training and therefore of the athlete as well as to the correct management of workloads developed during it and of the season. Studies carried out on the use of new dedicated technologies have shown how supportive they are for improving the performance and preparedness of the individual and the athlete in our case, mathematically developing real parameters for the sessions of the sport practiced (Barbero et a., 2010, Boyd et al., 2011, Brodie et al., 2016, Izzo et al., 2018). The attempt is to further reduce the error coefficient, of the same, the GPS in this case, the objective of this validation study is the validity and reliability of the advanced GPS device K-50 (K-Sport Universal, Ita). The test protocol was administered to 50 junior soccer students-players aged 17 ± 3 years by amateur sports clubs in Italy. The athletes were subjected to different types of stresses considered in the literature, significant in surveys with GPS (Izzo et al., 2018). The GPS device K-50 in our case is a tool, also equipped with inertial sensors (IMU) such as accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope, and it is the only one on the market that has the features to be able to use the technologies integrated into a calculation method integrated within the K-50 device, thanks to the use of a Sensor Fusion which allows more performing and sharper data quality. The results of the research protocol were compared using different methodologies for the calculation of some investigated parameters or using the GPS device with the Doppler effect, using the Sensor Fusion, and using the position calculation with different interpolations such as Lat-Lon 0.2 and Lat-Lon 0.05 (Latitude-longitude). In the end, the decidedly positive test results verify the validity of the device (GPS K-50). With the use of inertial systems enriched with the Sensor Fusion the error of the device in measuring the distances traveled is very close to zero with a standard deviation within the percentage limits.