Is the Concept, Method, or Measurement to Blame for Testing Error? An Illustration Using the Force-Velocity-Power Profile

Date
2022-11-10
Authors
Samozino, Pierre
Rivière, Jean Romain
Jimenez-Reyes, Pedro
Cross, Matt R
Morin, Jean-Benoît
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Human Kinetics
Abstract

When poor reliability of "output" variables is reported, it can be difficult to discern whether blame lies with the measurement (ie, the inputs) or the overarching concept. This commentary addresses this issue, using the force-velocity-power (FvP) profile in jumping to illustrate the interplay between concept, method, and measurement reliability. While FvP testing has risen in popularity and accessibility, some studies have challenged the reliability and subsequent utility of the concept itself without clearly considering the potential for imprecise procedures to impact reliability measures. To this end, simulations based on virtual athletes confirmed that push-off distance and jump-height variability should be <4% to 5% to guarantee well-fitted force-velocity relationships and acceptable typical error (<10%) in FvP outputs, which was in line with previous experimental findings. Thus, while arguably acceptable in isolation, the 5% to 10% variability in push-off distance or jump height reported in the critiquing studies suggests that their methods were not reliable enough (lack of familiarization, inaccurate procedures, or submaximal efforts) to infer underpinning force-production capacities. Instead of challenging only the concept of FvP relationship testing, an alternative conclusion should have considered the context in which the results were observed: If procedures' and/or tasks' execution is too variable, FvP outputs will be unreliable. As for some other neuromuscular or physiological testing, the FvP relationship, which magnifies measurement errors, is unreliable when the input measurements or testing procedures are inaccurate independently from the method or concept used. Field "simple" methods require the same methodological rigor as "lab" methods to obtain reliable output data.

Description
Keywords
jumping , reliability , reproducibility , strength evaluation , validity , jumping , reliability , reproducibility , strength evaluation , validity , 42 Health Sciences , 4207 Sports Science and Exercise , 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences , 1116 Medical Physiology , 1701 Psychology , Sport Sciences , 3202 Clinical sciences , 3208 Medical physiology , 4207 Sports science and exercise
Source
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, ISSN: 1555-0265 (Print); 1555-0273 (Online), Human Kinetics, 17(12), 1760-1768. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2021-0535
Rights statement