Reliability and validity of the Myotest® for measuring running stride kinematics

Abstract

Accelerometer-based systems are often used to quantify human movement. This study's aim was to assess the reliability and validity of the Myotest® accelerometer-based system for measuring running stride kinematics. Twenty habitual runners ran two 60 m trials at 12, 15, 18 and 21 km·h(-1). Contact time, aerial time and step frequency parameters from six consecutive running steps of each trial were extracted using Myotest® data. Between-trial reproducibility of measures was determined by comparing kinematic parameters from the two runs performed at the same speed. Myotest® measures were compared against photocell-based (Optojump Next®) and high-frequency video data to establish concurrent validity. The Myotest®-derived parameters were highly reproducible between trials at all running speeds (intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC): 0.886 to 0.974). Compared to the photo-cell and high-speed video-based measures, the mean contact times from the Myotest® were 34% shorter and aerial times were 64% longer. Only step frequency was comparable between systems and demonstrated high between-system correlation (ICC ≥ 0.857). The Myotest® is a practical portable device that is reliable for measuring contact time, aerial time and step frequency during running. In terms of validity, it provides accurate step frequency measures but underestimates contact time and overestimates aerial time compared to photocell- and optical-based systems.

The influence of explosive power on the performance of an elite swimmer in 25 and 50 metre pools

“…Jump height was measured by a Myotest device (Myotest, Sion, Switzerland), which is based on 3D acceleration, is designed for commercial use, and is worn at the waist. The validity and reliability of the Myotest device have been recently verified (Casartelli, Muller, & Maffiuletti, 2010;Castagna, 2013;Comstock et al, 2011;Dinu et al, 2011;Gindre et al, 2016;Houel, Faury, & Seyfried, 2013;Choukou, Laffaye, & Taiar, 2013).…”

A Comparison of 3D Methods for Identifying the Stance Phase in Treadmill Running for Both Rearfoot and Forefoot Runners

“…1, while the peak velocities can be seen in Fig. 2 (for a heel striker) and Myotest Run is a portable device that uses triaxial accelerometry to quantify different stride parameters including contact time [3,5]. It was placed on the belt of the runner.…”

“…However, although highly expensive treadmills and long running tracks with force platforms already exist, if more than one event needs to be measured, it is necessary to use alternative methods of determining stride phase durations. In this way, new field tools based on optical detection (OptoGait) and accelerometer systems (Myotest Run) represent good alternatives that quickly provide feedback on running gait parameters [2][3][4][5]. Indeed, these two tools are usually used for the measure of several parameters of the stride, including contact time [6].…”

Development of a Measurement System Aiming at Detection of Ground Contact in Running and Providing Immediate Feedback Using 3-Axial Acceleration Sensor and Wireless Communication Installed on a Smart Device

“…Regarding the accuracy of a step counter using 3-axial acceleration data, Koizumi et al (5) reported that there was a significant difference between the real and the measured values at the 5% significance level in a 120 m/min run, and Gindre et al (6) reported a similar finding. We note here that an accurate analysis of a step counter has not been established.…”