PUSH VALIDATION STUDY PUBLISHED IN JSCR
To read the full study by Carlos Balsalobre-Fernandez, Matt Kuzdub, Pedro Poveda-Ortiz & Juan del Campo-Vecino, published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, scroll to the bottom of the page.
Linear Position Transducers (LPTs) have long been the gold standard for measuring movement velocity in the daily training environment. Carlos Balsalobre-Fernandez et al. sought out to analyze the validity and reliability of a wearable technology, PUSH, in comparison. Their study focused on the movement velocity of the back squat by simultaneously tracking the exercise with a Linear Transducer and the PUSH Band. They analyzed ten recreationally active healthy males performing three repetitions of the exercise with five different loads ranging from 25–85% of their 1RM.
The study’s results showed a high correlation in the mean and peak velocities recorded by the Linear Transducer and the PUSH Band. Additionally, the measurement of the mean and peak velocities showed high agreement between the two devices, although a systematic bias was observed. When measuring the three back squat repetitions, the PUSH Band and Linear Transducer showed almost equal reliability. Finally, the individual load-velocity relationships measured with both devices showed similar, very high coefficients of determination.
All together, these results support the use of the PUSH Band — an affordable wearable device — as a means of tracking back squat velocity. Furthermore, the study supports the PUSH Band as a useful tool with practical applications for strength & conditioning coaches.
