Evaluation of reaction time: A pilot study on the concurrent validity of the Smart Speed® device

Smart Speed® is a device designed to evaluate and improve reaction time. The study aimed to demonstrate the concurrent validity of the Smart Speed® in assessing reaction time in a healthy young population. To evaluate the concurrent validity of Smart Speed®, correlations between Smart Speed®, BlazePod™, and the Nelson Foot Reaction Test were analyzed. A modified version of the Star Balance Test (mSBT) and One-Leg Balance Test (OLBT) were performed with Blazepod™ and Smart Speed®. All tests were performed bilaterally. Among the participants who met the inclusion criteria, 47 engaged in the Blazepod™ evaluation session, while 37 in the Smart Speed®. A significant moderate positive correlation was observed between the Smart Speed® mSBT outcomes and the Nelson Foot Reaction Test for both the dominant (r = 0.387, p = 0.018) and non-dominant sides (r = 0.386, p = 0.018). No correlation was found between the tests performed with the Smart Speed® and the BlazePod™. Overall, the findings provide preliminary evidence of concurrent validity for Smart Speed® in specific reaction-time-related tasks. However, improvements in the synchronization of its lights are still required. Once these adjustments are implemented, it has the potential to serve as an effective and objective tool for assessing and enhancing reaction time in rehabilitation.