Reliability and Validity of Pressure Sensor-Embedded Socks for Measuring Countermovement Jump Performance

Abstract

Assessing athletic performance through vertical jump metrics, such as jump height (JH) and reactive strength index (RSI), is common in sports performance and rehabilitation settings. Traditionally, force plates have been the gold standard for these measurements, but wearable technology offers potentially more accessible alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of pressure sensor-embedded socks, compared with force plates, for measuring contact time, flight time, JH, RSI, and modified RSI (mRSI) during countermovement jumps (CMJ). Twenty active individuals performed CMJs while wearing the socks, and force plate data were simultaneously collected. The results indicated that the force plates showed generally acceptable reliability, while the socks showed questionable reliability. Regarding validity, the socks appeared similar to the force plate data, but this should be interpreted with caution given the lower reliability metrics observed in the socks. Thus, the present study suggests that while sensor socks show promise for field-based assessments, improvements in sensor technology and data processing, such as higher sampling rates, are needed to improve reliability. These findings indicate that wearable technology, such as sensor-embedded socks, can serve as a viable alternative for data measurement in sports science when traditional force plates are not accessible. However, while these socks appear valid compared to force plates, their performance may not always be consistent or reliable.