Jacobus J. Oosthuizen 1, Martinique Sparks 1 2 3 , Christo A. Bisschoff 1, Marike Cockeran 4, Ermanno Rampinini 5

 

  1. Physical activity, Sport and Recreation Research Focus Area, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa;
  2. School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Australia;
  3. Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Australia
  4. Medicine Usage in South Africa, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa;
  5. Human Performace Laboratory, MAPEI Sport Research Centre, Olgiate Olona, Italy;

 

 

Abstract

This study assessed the interchangeability of the 10-Hz Polar and Catapult GPS during competitive matches. The agreement between data from both GPS units worn simultaneously and processed with the manufacturer’s individual GPS-filtered software was also assessed. Thirty players competing in the Currie Cup first division competition were monitored using two different tracking systems across six matches. To determine the interchangeability between systems, player movement variables including total distance (TD), low-speed running (LSR, 0.0–14.4 km/h), high-speed running (HSR, 14.4–18.9 km/h), very high-speed running (VHSR, >18.9 km/h), acceleration efforts > 2.5 m/s2 (ACC), deceleration efforts <-2.5 m/s2 (DEC) and maximum velocity reached during each half were compared. The two systems showed good to excellent agreement (CCC = 0.83–0.98) during all selected variables. During the entire match, Polar had, on average, higher values than Catapult, except for LSR and HSR. The percentage differences between systems were 3.6% TD, 1.9% maximum velocity, −4.7% LSR, −4.6% HSR, 16.5% VHSR, 13.7% ACC and 11.9% DEC. In addition, Bland-Altman plots showed a low average difference for TD (129.1; 90.1 m), maximum velocity (0.5; 0.5 km/h), LSR (138.2; 80.9 m), HSR (21.3; 5.4 m), VHSR (35.7; 22.3 m), ACC (1.6; 1.8 efforts) and DEC (2.0; 1.2 efforts).

International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 2025 Feb 4

DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2025.2461862