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Consistency of commercial devices for measuring elevation gain
Paolo Menaspà1, Franco M Impellizzeri, Eric C Haakonssen
1School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
|December 17, 2013
Summary
Commercial GPS devices show variability in measuring elevation gain. Garmin and SRM devices differed by up to 3%, with Garmin showing higher variability. Use caution when comparing elevation data from different devices or settings.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanical Engineering
- Outdoor Recreation Technology
Background:
- Accurate measurement of elevation gain is crucial for training, performance analysis, and safety in outdoor activities and sports.
- Commercially available GPS devices are widely used for tracking elevation gain, but their consistency and accuracy can vary.
- Understanding device-specific measurement differences is important for athletes and researchers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the consistency and accuracy of commercially available devices for measuring total elevation gain (TEG) during outdoor activities.
- To compare the performance of Garmin and SRM devices in measuring TEG under real-world conditions.
- To identify potential discrepancies in elevation gain data due to device brand, model, or settings.
Main Methods:
- Two observational validation studies were conducted involving mountain climbs and cycling events.
- Garmin (Forerunner 310XT, Edge 500, 750, 800) and SRM (Power Control 7) devices were used to measure TEG.
- Measurements were taken with and without Garmin's elevation correction feature.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in TEG were observed between Garmin and SRM devices (P < .05).
- SRM devices exhibited lower between-device variability in TEG (0.2%) compared to Garmin devices (1.5%) in study 1.
- Garmin's elevation correction feature increased TEG by 5-10%.
Conclusions:
- While measurements were consistent within each brand, TEG differed between Garmin and SRM devices by up to 3%.
- The study highlights the need for caution when comparing elevation gain data recorded by different brands or with different device settings.
- Users should be aware of potential discrepancies and consider device specifications when interpreting elevation gain metrics.
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