The purpose of this study was to analyse the reliability and validity of an opto-electronic sensor system (Velowin) for assessment of the bar-velocity in the deep squat exercise. Mean velocity, mean propulsive velocity and peak velocity generated in the deep squat exercise performed in the Smith machine bar were analysed compared to a linear velocity transducer considered as the gold standard. The study was conducted with a sample of 26 men with experience in resistance training. Six measurements were analysed for squat exercise in concentric phase using a progressive loading increase. Three consecutive repetitions were performed per load with a 3-4 min recovery between loads. Analysis of variance confirmed that there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) for the velocity variables between Velowin and T-Force for each of the loads. The reliability analysis showed high values of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.94-0.99), an 'almost perfect' Lin's concordance coefficient (CCC = 0.99) and a low coefficient of variation (CV <3.4%) for each of the loads and velocities. These results confirm the reliability and validity of the Velowin device for measuring the execution velocity in deep squat exercise.
Keywords: Strength; evaluation; performance; reliability; velocity-based training.