Measuring Sport Performance
Researchers from the University of Northern Colorado and the United States Olympic Committee have determined that the PASPORT visual accelerometer is a viable training tool for professional weight lifters.
While the velocity and trajectory of a barbell has been well-documented, a large body of acceleration data had been difficult to find, largely due to the belief that the task was cumbersome and labour-intensive. In a 2009 study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, researchers set out to determine if a barbell’s acceleration could be accurately measured with the use of a commercial accelerometer.
Using PASCO’s visual accelerometer, researchers tested the accuracy of barbell acceleration data that was derived in compliance with the U.S. Olympic Committee’s testing protocols.
The data collected from the PASCO accelerometer was “nearly identical” to the acceleration data collected from a kinematic analysis of a movement sequence captured by high-speed video.
Because of its ability to capture accurate data and then display it in real-time, researchers determined that PASCO’s visual accelerometer is a valuable (and inexpensive) practical tool for monitoring training progress.
You can read more about the study here. To learn more about the PASPORT accelerometer, click here.
