Concurrent validity and between-device reliability of the Catapult Vector S8 GNSS device

Abstract

This study assessed the concurrent validity and between-device reliability of the Catapult Vector S8 GNSS device for measuring distance, speed, acceleration and banded distance metrics. Twelve male sub-elite team sport athletes completed a testing protocol consisting of linear sprints, change of direction drills and a modified small-sided game. Validity was evaluated against criterion reference systems, a VICON motion capture system for most trials and a Stalker ATS radar for 50 m sprints, evaluated using root mean square error (RMSE) and mean bias. Between-device reliability was assessed using interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and typical error (TE%). The Vector S8 demonstrated good validity with minimal errors for instantaneous distance (RMSE: 0.03 ± 0.01 m), speed (RMSE: 0.14 ± 0.05 m·s −1 ) and acceleration (RMSE: 0.29 ± 0.14 m·s −2 ). No overall bias was detected for instantaneous distance and speed, and the bias for acceleration (−0.016) was minimal. Accumulated distance showed a small underestimation across trials (mean bias −1.42%), with consistently low RMSE values (0.26–3.06 m), indicating high measurement precision. The 50 m sprint results showed similar validity, with minimal RMSE for instantaneous speed (0.14 ± 0.15 m·s −1 ) and acceleration (0.22 ± 0.22 m·s −2 ). Between device reliability demonstrated excellent agreement across all measured variables (ICC ≥ 0.95) with good precision (TE as CV < 3.13%). No significant systematic bias was observed between devices for any variable (p > 0.05). This is the first study to validate the Catapult Vector S8 GNSS device, demonstrating that it is valid and reliable for measuring distance, speed and acceleration during sport-specific movements.