Measuring temporal and spatial accuracy in trampolining

A new measurement system (horizontal displacement, time of flight, synchronicity—HDTS) was investigated regarding the latest changes to the international evaluation rules in trampoline gymnastics. It allows for the real-time measurement of objective criteria, such as flight time and landing position, without affecting the gymnast. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal and spatial accuracy of a measurement tool via cross-validation. Temporal precision was additionally tested via high-speed video landing and takeoff, while a three-dimensional motion capturing system was incorporated for spatial precision. The Bland–Altman “limit of agreement approach” was used for the assessment of congruence between the measurement systems. The new measurement system presented an average spatial deviation of 3.2 cm and a temporal deviation between − 5.8 and + 6.4 ms for the landing and − 11.3 and + 11.3 ms for the takeoff. Given its temporal and spatial accuracy in determining flight time and landing position as identified through cross-validation, the novel HDTS system proved to be suitable for its use in trampoline competitions.