Journal Article

Validity and reliability of the Kinovea program in obtaining angles and distances using coordinates in 4 perspectives

Puig-Diví, Albert, Escalona-Marfil, Carles, Marcos-Ruiz, Daniel, Busquets, Albert, Padullés-Chando, Xavier, Padullés-Riu, Josep Maria

2019

Overview

An objective analysis of the human movement can help both clinical assessment and sports performance. Kinovea is a free 2D motion analysis software that can be used to measure kinematic parameters. This low-cost technology has been used in sports sciences, as well as in the clinical and research fields. One interesting tool is that it can measure an object (or person) passing in front of the camera, taking into account the perspective between the camera and the recorded object. Although it has been validated as a tool to assess time-related variables, few studies assessed its validity compared to a Gold Standard; furthermore, its reliability in different perspectives has not been previously assessed. The main objective of this study is to determine the validity of the Kinovea software compared to AutoCAD, and its intra and inter-rater reliability in obtaining coordinates data; a second objective is to compare their results at 4 different perspectives (90°, 75°, 60° and 45°) and to assess the inter and intra rater reliability at each perspective. For this purpose, a wire structure figure in the shape of a human lower limb was designed and measured in AutoCAD; it was then recorded during a pendular motion with a video-camera placed at distance of 5 m and analyzed with Kinovea in the 4 perspectives (90°, 75°, 60° and 45°). Each frame was examined by three observers who made two attempts. A multiple approach was applied involving the analysis of the systematic error, with a two-way ANOVA 2x4; the relative reliability with Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the Coefficient of Variance (CV) (95% confidence interval); and the absolute reliability with the Standard Error (SE). The results indicate that the Kinovea software is a valid and reliable tool that is able to measure accurately at distances up to 5 m from the object and at an angle range of 90°-45°. Nevertheless, for optimum results an angle of 90° is suggested.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Analysis / Athletic performance / Biology and Life Sciences / Biomechanical Phenomena / CAD / Cameras / Computer aided design / Computer and Information Sciences / Computer programs / Confidence intervals / Correlation coefficient / Correlation coefficients / Custom software / Design / Engineering and Technology / Error analysis / Gait / Human motion / Humans / Industrial design / Jumping / Kinematics / Laboratories / Medical research / Medicine and Health Sciences / Movement / Objective analysis / Physical education / Physical Sciences / Physical therapy / Range of Motion, Articular / Reliability analysis / Reproducibility of Results / Research and Analysis Methods / Software / Software reliability / Sports medicine / Sports sciences / Standard error / Systematic errors / Technology / Technology application / Three dimensional motion / Two dimensional analysis / Validity / Variance analysis / Walking