# From Laboratory to Field: Concurrent Validity of Kinovea’s Linear Kinematics Tracking Tool for Semi-Automated Countermovement Jump Analysis

## TL;DR

This study shows that the open-source software Kinovea can reliably and accurately measure jump performance in the field, similar to expensive lab equipment.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that Kinovea's semi-automated tool is valid and reliable for field-based kinematic analysis of countermovement jumps.

## Key findings

- Kinovea showed excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.73–0.99) for tracking markers on the hip and knee.
- Strong validity was found when comparing Kinovea's results to a 3D motion capture system (ICC = 0.68–0.99).
- The tool is reliable even for less experienced users, making it suitable for field-based biomechanics research.

## Abstract

Affordable high-frame-rate cameras and open-source software, such as Kinovea (ver. 2025.1.0), have expanded the potential for conducting kinematic assessments outside laboratory settings. This study examined the reliability and validity of Kinovea’s semi-automated linear kinematics tracking tool by comparing its outputs with those from a 3D marker-based motion capture system (Qualisys). Ten recreationally active male basketball players (x̄ ± SD: age 23.7 ± 1.7 years; height 183 ± 5 cm; body mass 76.8 ± 9.8 kg) performed three CMJ trials, simultaneously recorded using both systems. Reflective markers placed on the shoulder, hip, and knee were tracked in Kinovea by two raters with different levels of experience to extract core CMJ variables (total take-off time and maximum vertical displacement) and complementary variables (eccentric and propulsion duration, and minimum vertical displacement). Inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), coefficients of variation (CV%), standard error of measurement (SEM), and Bland–Altman analysis. Results showed excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.73–0.99) across all markers, with the hip and knee demonstrating the highest consistency. Strong validity relative to Qualisys was observed for both raters (ICC = 0.68–0.99; r > 0.80), with small systematic biases primarily in temporal variables. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Kinovea’s semi-automated 2D analysis yields reliable and valid CMJ measurements comparable to 3D motion capture, even for less experienced users. As a free and easily deployable tool, it offers a widely accessible alternative for field-based performance monitoring and applied biomechanics research where laboratory-grade equipment is not available.