The Validity and Reliability of an iPhone App for Measuring Running Mechanics

in Journal of Applied Biomechanics

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Carlos Balsalobre-FernándezEuropean University of Madrid

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Hovannes AgopyanUniversité Côte d’Azur

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Jean-Benoit MorinUniversité Côte d’Azur

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2016-0104
Keywords:
biomechanics; stride; performance; smartphone
First Published Online:
26 Jun 2017
In Print:
Volume 33: Issue 3
Page Range:
222–226
Restricted access

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the validity of an iPhone application (Runmatic) for measuring running mechanics. To do this, 96 steps from 12 different runs at speeds ranging from 2.77–5.55 m·s−1 were recorded simultaneously with Runmatic, as well as with an opto-electronic device installed on a motorized treadmill to measure the contact and aerial time of each step. Additionally, several running mechanics variables were calculated using the contact and aerial times measured, and previously validated equations. Several statistics were computed to test the validity and reliability of Runmatic in comparison with the opto-electronic device for the measurement of contact time, aerial time, vertical oscillation, leg stiffness, maximum relative force, and step frequency. The running mechanics values obtained with both the app and the opto-electronic device showed a high degree of correlation (r = .94–.99, p < .001). Moreover, there was very close agreement between instruments as revealed by the ICC (2,1) (ICC = 0.965–0.991). Finally, both Runmatic and the opto-electronic device showed almost identical reliability levels when measuring each set of 8 steps for every run recorded. In conclusion, Runmatic has been proven to be a highly reliable tool for measuring the running mechanics studied in this work.

Balsalobre-Fernández is with the Department of Sport Sciences, European University of Madrid, Spain. Agopyan and Morin are with LAMHESS, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.

Address author correspondence to Carlos Balsalobre-Fernández at carlos.balsalobre@icloud.com.
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