A Hybrid Ultra-Wideband and Inertial Measurement Unit Sensor System Can Accurately Measure the Sprinting Performance in Young Male Soccer Players.
- 1Biomechanics Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport Science at Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Abstract
Background: This study investigated the concurrent validity and agreement of a hybrid ultra-wideband (UWB) and inertial measurement unit (IMU) wearable sensor system (K-Power) against criterion photocell timing gates during a 30 m sprint test, while secondarily exploring associations between 30 m sprint time (t30) and horizontal force-velocity (F-V) profile parameters in youth soccer players. Methods: Eighteen semi-professional male U19 soccer players executed three maximal 30 m sprints on an outdoor grass field. Sprint split times (0-10 m, 10-20 m, 20-30 m, and 0-30 m) were recorded simultaneously using the K-Power system (200 Hz) and four pairs of electronic timing gates. Mechanical F-V parameters-maximal theoretical force (F₀), maximal theoretical velocity (V₀), and maximal mechanical power (PMAX)-were derived from the sensor data. Concurrent validity was assessed using bias, limits of agreement (LoA), Pearson's correlation, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC{A,1}). Relationships among parameters were evaluated using Kendall's correlation. Results: The K-Power system demonstrated excellent absolute agreement for total sprint time (t30; ICC = 0.967; mean bias = -0.011 s) and strong correlations across all split intervals (r = 0.921 to 0.974). No proportional bias was observed. Regarding the F-V profile, t30 exhibited moderate negative correlation with PMAX (τb = -0.428, p = 0.015). Conclusions: The hybrid UWB-IMU sensor system is a valid and practical field-based tool for monitoring linear sprint performance and mechanical capabilities in soccer. Furthermore, sprint performance in youth soccer players over 30 m is primarily associated with maximal power capabilities during the initial steps rather than V₀.
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BibTeX
@article{panoutsakopoulos2026hybrid,
title = {{A Hybrid Ultra-Wideband and Inertial Measurement Unit Sensor System Can Accurately Measure the Sprinting Performance in Young Male Soccer Players.}},
author = {Vassilios Panoutsakopoulos and Panagiotis Kitsikoudis and Anestis Damianou},
journal = {Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/jfmk11040421},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924700},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A Hybrid Ultra-Wideband and Inertial Measurement Unit Sensor System Can Accurately Measure the Sprinting Performance in Young Male Soccer Players.
AU - Vassilios Panoutsakopoulos
AU - Panagiotis Kitsikoudis
AU - Anestis Damianou
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology
DO - 10.3390/jfmk11040421
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924700
AB - Background: This study investigated the concurrent validity and agreement of a hybrid ultra-wideband (UWB) and inertial measurement unit (IMU) wearable sensor system (K-Power) against criterion photocell timing gates during a 30 m sprint test, while secondarily exploring associations between 30 m sprint time (t30) and horizontal force-velocity (F-V) profile parameters in youth soccer players. Methods: Eighteen semi-professional male U19 soccer players executed three maximal 30 m sprints on an outdoor grass field. Sprint split times (0-10 m, 10-20 m, 20-30 m, and 0-30 m) were recorded simultaneously using the K-Power system (200 Hz) and four pairs of electronic timing gates. Mechanical F-V parameters-maximal theoretical force (F₀), maximal theoretical velocity (V₀), and maximal mechanical power (PMAX)-were derived from the sensor data. Concurrent validity was assessed using bias, limits of agreement (LoA), Pearson's correlation, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC{A,1}). Relationships among parameters were evaluated using Kendall's correlation. Results: The K-Power system demonstrated excellent absolute agreement for total sprint time (t30; ICC = 0.967; mean bias = -0.011 s) and strong correlations across all split intervals (r = 0.921 to 0.974). No proportional bias was observed. Regarding the F-V profile, t30 exhibited moderate negative correlation with PMAX (τb = -0.428, p = 0.015). Conclusions: The hybrid UWB-IMU sensor system is a valid and practical field-based tool for monitoring linear sprint performance and mechanical capabilities in soccer. Furthermore, sprint performance in youth soccer players over 30 m is primarily associated with maximal power capabilities during the initial steps rather than V₀.
SN - 2411-5142
ER -