Quantifying jumps and external load in netball using VERT inertial measurement units

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Performance Analysis

Background:

• Accurate measurement of athlete movement and jump performance is crucial for training and injury prevention in netball.
• Established inertial measurement devices can be expensive, limiting accessibility for lower-level athletes.
• The VERT Classic offers a potentially more affordable alternative for tracking movement and jump metrics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the relationship between the VERT Classic and Catapult ClearSky T6 inertial measurement devices.
• To compare the measurement of movement (PlayerLoad vs. Kinetic Energy) and jump counts between the two devices in female netballers.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-five female netballers (elite and sub-elite) participated.
• Both Catapult ClearSky T6 and VERT Classic devices were worn simultaneously during a training session.
• PlayerLoad and Kinetic Energy outputs, along with automated jump counts, were compared between devices.

Main Results:

• A strong correlation (r=0.76) was found between PlayerLoad (ClearSky T6) and Kinetic Energy (VERT Classic).
• A high correlation (r=0.81) was observed between jump counts from both devices.
• Mean bias in jump counts was 1.7, with wide limits of agreement (-17.9 to 21.3).

Conclusions:

• The VERT Classic shows potential as an accessible alternative for sub-elite netballers due to strong correlations.
• However, the wide confidence intervals and limits of agreement necessitate caution when interpreting VERT data.
• Further research is recommended to validate the VERT device across diverse athletic populations and movement types.