Background: The aim of this study was to compare the validity of two different GPS device models used for time-motion analyses in ecological testing of football.
Methods: Ten healthy male players from a Spanish university football team participated in this study. The team sport simulation circuit (TSCC) used was based on previous research examining the validity and interunit reliability of different GPS systems. Participants were required to complete eight laps of the TSSC, resulting in a total distance of 1320 m. The GPS units used for the current study were the 18 Hz StatsSport Apex Pro and 18 Hz RealTrack WIMU Pro. Participants were required to wear either of the two GPS units during the test. To establish the construct validity of GPS as a measure of Vmax, timing lights were used as a gold standard.
Results: The results clearly suggest that it is not possible to use the same 18 Hz GPS model or interchange it. The measurement can be considered precise when the noise is at least equal to or lower than the smallest worthwhile change. In this case, all standard deviation in measurement error was higher than the smallest worthwhile change. This is due to an inconsistency in the data processing of each trademark.
Conclusions: It is important to prevent a club using different GPS trademarks at the same time, since it is not possible to compare in any case any type of result obtained between different trademarks.
Keywords: football external load; football movement patterns; football technology.