On-Field Diagnostics: Introducing KINEXON's New Sprint Assessment Tool

One of the most requested capabilities from coaches and sports scientists has been a better way to assess sprint performance — on the field, in the flow of training, and without needing specialized equipment. 

KINEXON’s sprint diagnostic tool enables coaches to capture prescribed sprint efforts over pre-defined distances (20m, 30m, 40m, or 60m), turning each sprint into a repeatable diagnostic measurement. These controlled, high-intensity efforts generate objective performance data — ideal for assessing individual readiness and maximal acceleration capacity and maximum velocity. 
With automated event detection, key indicators such as maximum speed and split times, and access to instantaneous velocity trace, KINEXON’s diagnostic feature offers a seamless workflow for performing scientific sprint capacity evaluation. 

Real-time monitoring of sprint performance has been shown to improve running economy and sprint technique while reducing the risk of non-contact injuries – particularly when used within regular training environments (1). 

• No timing gates or extra hardware required – everything is captured via the existing KINEXON PERFORM LPS or GNSS system. 
• Automated sprint detection makes it easy to integrate assessments within regular training sessions. 
• Live and post-session feedback on key metrics like max speed, split times, and acceleration profiles. 
• Instantaneous velocity and acceleration curves help coaches evaluate sprint mechanics and effort quality. 
• Enables benchmarking throughout the season to track performance trends or progression. 
• Supports return-to-play (RTP) decisions by validating readiness with consistent, repeatable data. 
• Helps identify asymmetries, fatigue-related declines, and technical inefficiencies. 

We’ve built a simple and seamless workflow that fits naturally into every training environment. 
 
Setup: 
 
To activate sprint diagnostics, assign your athletes to a diagnostic group behavior in the KINEXON app. The group behavior is required for automated event detection. 

Data Collection: 

1. Line players up along a start line 
2. Hold position for at least 2 seconds 
3. Sprint a pre-specified distance (currently 20, 30, 40 or 60m) 
4. The system automatically detects and logs the sprint diagnostic event 

That’s it — no tagging, no manual triggers, just automatic data capture in real time. 

Data Analysis: 

Once enabled, the diagnostic feature unlocks a new DIAGNOSTICS section in the app, alongside the familiar STATISTICS, POST, and DEVELOP views. All event information will be displayed here both live and post session, empowering coaches to move beyond raw sprint times and gain insight into how those outcomes are achieved. 

This area includes: 

• Time splits (every 5m or 10m) 
• Average speed 
• Maximum speed 
• Maximum acceleration 
• Instantaneous velocity or acceleration curves 

The figure below highlights a critical advancement in the way sprint performance is measured and analyzed. By plotting speed over time, the graph compares two approaches to sprint data collection and how each method detects key sprint events: the new diagnostic event detection versus traditional performance event detection. The curved trajectory represents an athlete’s velocity throughout a single sprint effort, with key event markers annotated for direct comparison. 

In the diagnostic approach, the sprint begins from a clearly defined, stationary position — indicated by the green vertical line labeled Diagnostic Sprint Start. This setup allows the system to capture the entire sprint profile, beginning from zero velocity, encompassing the full acceleration phase, maximum velocity phase, and deceleration phase. In contrast, traditional performance event detection — marked by the blue vertical line — typically triggers when the athlete surpasses a predefined velocity threshold. As a result, traditional methods often miss the early acceleration phase, which limits their ability to distinguish subtle but critical differences in start mechanics and initial force production. 

A red dot indicates the exact moment the diagnostic sprint is initiated, reinforcing the method’s consistency and repeatability. Because this event is anchored to a true zero-velocity baseline, it produces a complete and unfiltered profile of the athlete’s sprinting mechanics — from initial push-off to peak velocity and beyond into the deceleration phase. 

To the right of the graph, the 20-meter mark is identified, demonstrating how the diagnostic sprint captures performance data across the entire pre-defined sprint distance. While traditional performance event detection tends to emphasize the maximum velocity portion of a sprint, the diagnostic approach offers a far more comprehensive view — revealing nuanced insights into both acceleration and deceleration dynamics. Although not depicted in this figure, extended sprints over 40 or 60 meters or longer provide additional context regarding an athlete’s ability to maintain top-end speed and the rate at which they decelerate, which are often overlooked in traditional data sets once the athlete’s speed falls below the detection threshold. 

By enabling automated, accurate capture of sprint efforts from a standardized start, the diagnostic feature significantly enhances the validity of sprint testing protocols. More importantly, it unlocks a deeper layer of analysis — supporting the evaluation of asymmetries, fatigue-related decline, and inefficiencies in running economy. This makes the diagnostic sprint tool a powerful asset for performance monitoring, training prescription, and informed return-to-play decision-making.

While the early version focuses on sprint diagnostics, future updates will include: 

• Force/​velocity profiling derived from instantaneous samples 
• Contextual workload tracking to provide deeper insight into sprint performance relative to session demands 

Our goal is to make elite-level, field-based diagnostics available anytime, anywhere. With the new Sprint Diagnostic tool, we’re helping teams make faster, smarter decisions—right at the speed of the game. 

Sprint Diagnostics will be available with app version 12.2 by the end of May. 

Reach out to your Customer Success Manager or submit a demo request below to speak with one of our experts.

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