Evaluation of reliability and concurrent validity of two optoelectric systems used for recording maximum vertical jumping performance versus the gold standard

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of two alternative systems used for jumping performance measurement. Methods: Two groups of subjects were tested. The first group consisted of 15 male adults (21.3 +/- 1.7 years) and the second group consisted of 16 female volleyball players (17.2 +/- 0.9 years). We used three different systems of data collection in the study. Two of the used systems are based on optoelectric components. The Optojump Next system is referred to as the optoelectric system, and BTS Smart-E is refered to as the video system. Concurrent validity of these systems was verified with the use of "gold standard" which is force platform. All systems were used to estimate the height of vertical jumps. Results: Both optoelectric systems turned out to be highly reliable with the ICCs = 0.98 for Optojump and 0.9 for BTS Smart. Their concurrent validity with the force platform data was also very high r = 0.99 and r = 0.97, respectively. Conclusions: Comparison of these two systems shows distinct differences between them. Out of the two systems, Optojump system is more suitable for quick and reliable sports testing while when BTS-Smart is better for research and clinical testing.