Does the operating temperature of accelerometers affect data measurement during static and dynamic conditions in sports? A randomized-control trial
This study aimed to analyse the effect of two operating temperatures (optimal vs environmental) on IMU internal temperature and accelerometry-based data in two conditions of measurement: (a) static, no movement; and (b) dynamic, a U`16 game-based training soccer session with 14 players. Each session took a 60-min duration and followed an ecological design (no intervention in environmental conditions). Fifty-six WIMU PROTM inertial devices were randomly grouped in four conditions (two operating temperatures × two measurement conditions, 14 devices in each group) and recorded IMUs` internal temperature, resultant acceleration vector and PlayerLoad (PLRT). Devices were placed in the manufacturer`s docking station at the static condition and in a specific harness at the interscapular level at the dynamic condition. Repeated measures t-tests were employed for between-group comparisons at 1-min average sections throughout the register. Between-group differences were found in the static and dynamic conditions in IMUs internal temperature (static: 0-31 min; dynamic: 0-20 min) and resultant acceleration vector (static: 0-29 min; dynamic: 0-19 min). Instead, no differences were found in PLRT dynamics and accumulated PLRT although values in the environmental group were overestimated. In conclusion, WIMU PROTM devices must achieve the optimal operating temperature (38-39°) to avoid measurement error, regardless of the application (short or long sessions).
© Copyright 2025 Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology. SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.
| Subjects: | |
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| Notations: | technical and natural sciences |
| Tagging: | Einflussfaktor |
| Published in: | Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2025
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/17543371231175545 |
| Volume: | 239 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| Pages: | 848-854 |
| Document types: | article |
| Level: | advanced |