Open    Access



Validity and Reproducibility of the Garmin Vector Power Meter When Compared to the SRM Device



Author(s)

Randolph Hutchison, Gibson Klapthor, Karlee Edwards, Kaitlin Bruneau, Gregory Mocko and Ardalan Vahidi

Full-Text PDF XML     2187 Views

DOI:10.17265/2332-7839/2017.05.001

Mobile power meters allow for cyclists to monitor power output (PO) during training and competition. The Garmin Vector power meter (VPM) measures PO at the pedal compared to the crank and has been tested in only a few limited studies. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reproducibility of the VPM by comparing it to the SRM. The VPM validity was tested by (1) a submaximal incremental test, (2) submaximal constant power test, (3) sprint test, and (4) a field test. The reliability of the VPM was tested by repeating the laboratory tests 10 times over a 6 week span. Significant differences (P = 0.046) were found between the mean PO_SRM (178 ± 1.8 W) and PO_VPM (163.5 ± 14.7 W) for the submaximal constant-power test. No significant differences were found between the PO_MAX SRM and the PO_MAX VPM. The reproducibility of the VPM was lower than the SRM (CV = 8.52 ± 4.0 vs 3.48 ± 1.9, 10.66% vs 5.50%, and 67.7% vs 55.3% for the submaximal incremental test, submaximal constant-power test, and field test respectively). The PO_VPM appears to underestimate the PO_SRM and is less valid and reliable across various cycling efforts.

Mobile power meters, power output, SRM, VPM, submaximal incremental test, submaximal constant power test, sprint test, field test.