Inter-Unit Consistency and Validity of 10-Hz GNSS Units in Straight-Line Sprint Running

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the inter-unit consistency and validity of multiple 10-Hz Catapult Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) units in measuring straight-line sprint distances and speeds. A total of 13 participants performed one 45.72-m linear sprint at maximum effort while wearing all eight GNSS units at once. Total run distance and peak speed recorded using GNSS units during the sprint duration were extracted for analysis. Sprint time and peak speed were also obtained from video recordings as reference values. Inter-unit consistency was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and standard errors of measurements (SEM). For a validity test, one-sample t-tests were performed to compare each GNSS unit’s distance with the known distance. Additionally, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed to compare each unit’s peak speed with the reference peak speed measured using video analysis. Results showed poor inter-unit consistency for both distance (ICC = 0.131; SEM = 8.8 m) and speed (ICC = 0.323; SEM 1.3 m/s) measurements. For validity, most units recorded a total distance (44.50 m to 52.69 m) greater than the known distance of 45.72 m and a lower peak speed (7.25 (0.51) m/s) than the video-based reference values (7.78 (0.90) m/s). The present findings demonstrate that there exist variations in distance and speed measurements among different units of the same GNSS system during straight-line sprint running. Practitioners should be aware of the window of errors associated with GNSS measurements and interpret the results with caution. When making comparisons over a season, players should wear the same unit every time if logistically possible.