Modern Light Sport Training Systems:

Critical Analysis of Their Construction and Performance Features

Anton Ezhov

1,2 a

, Anna Zakharova

1,2 b

and Dmitriy Kachalov

1,2,3 c

Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, 19 Mira street, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Hockey Academy Spartakovets, 31 Engelsa street, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Ural State University of Railway Transport, 66 Kolmogorova street, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Keywords: Coordination Training, Coordination Assessment, Sport Gadgets, Light Training System.

Abstract: Modern digital technologies help to provide the athlete progress in the majority of sport kinds. There are too

many sport gadgets intended for different training aims. So, assessment of their advantages or disadvantages

is difficult for a coach or other customers. The aim of our research was to provide a detailed comparison of

the light sport training systems available with the identification of the operation features. Methods. FitLight

BlazePod and XLiGHT sport training systems were considered in terms of usability, features, performance

and diagnostic possibilities. It has been found that FitLight

is more suitable for sport diagnostics. It should

be mentioned however that BlazePod and XLiGHT simulator are more affordable and can be high in demand

by coaches.

1 INTRODUCTION

The modern training process is unthinkable without

the use of multimedia support for sports. Over the

past ten years the qualitative approach to the

organization of sports training has fundamentally

changed in amateur and professional sport as well as

in sports reserves training in sports clubs and schools.

Thanks to the universal digitalization nowadays

plenty of devices of fixing and analyzing the training

process parameters are used everywhere. There are

heart rate monitors with GPS-navigation for

endurance athletes, force platforms and photo finish

(timing systems) for sprinters, video recording with

subsequent analysis of sport technique of exercises

performance, etc. Thus power, endurance and speed

are under super vision of information technologies.

Until recently coordination development was far

away from using support digital technologies. Taking

into account that it is coordination training that

requires novelty and unpredictability easily provided

by gadgets, the appearance of light sports systems

was predictable. Now such means of sport

multimedia support as the visual coordination

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0541-0650

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9550-1793

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2857-9416

simulators or light sport systems are gaining

popularity in team and martial arts sports.

Light Sport Training System is a complex of

wireless lights coming on randomly or in a given

order by the control device and deactivated by user’s

touching them as fast as possible. It is designed

mainly for training of quick reaction and coordination

development in various sports. At the same time,

changing the Light Sport Training System settings

and exercise conditions allows you to design a

training session of any orientation. In addition, the

presence of a timing system and statistical processing

of the response speed allows you to objectively

control the level of development of coordination

abilities.

The first and thus named revolutionary light sport

system FitLight

Trainer was officially introduced

in 2011 (FitLight manual, 2021). This simulator

(Figure 1) was invented by Canadian specialists and

assembled in China.

In March 2017 the Israeli company BlazePod

(BlazePod presentation, 2017) announced their brand

innovative system (Figure 2).

Ezhov, A., Zakharova, A. and Kachalov, D.

Modern Light Spor t Training Systems: Critical Analysis of Their Construction and Performance Features.

DOI: 10.5220/0010677900003059

In Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support (icSPORTS 2021), pages 123-129

ISBN: 978-989-758-539-5; ISSN: 2184-3201

123

The Russian company "Shaiber" introduced its

XLiGHT simulator (figure 3) in 2019. In fact, it is an

adaptation and localization (“whitelable”) of

Reaction Training Lamp (China).

Due to their availability and simplicity of

operation light simulators are confidently gaining the

market of sports training support products.

However, manuals of these Light Sport Training

Systems present directions for usage but do not

contain technical peculiar properties.

The aim of our research was to provide a detailed

comparison of the light sport training systems

available on the market with the identification of the

operation features.

2 METHODS

To provide the critical analysis of light sport systems

three main aspects were selected: size and price,

connection and operation features.

2.1 Size and Price

This section includes an analysis of the external

parameters of the device:

• Description of the delivery set, available

configurations and dimensions (physical data);

• Prices;

• Ergonomics of the product as a whole and the

sensors separately;

• Charging features;

• Accessories.

2.2 Connection Features

The analysis of the connection features of light sport

systems includes an analysis of the external

parameters of the device:

• Common features;

• Control devices;

• Limitations of the Bluetooth™ protocol;

• Software features, localization;

• Functional capabilities of sensor (signal-

response);

• Data upload, storage and synchronization.

2.3 Operation Features

Following details were under consideration in this

department:

• Using in training;

• Using for testing.

3 DISCUSSION

For the critical comparison of sport devices for

coordination development following light sport

systems were available: FitligtTrainer

(FitLight

Sports Corp., Canada), Blazepod (Israel, Tailand) and

3.1 Size and Price

3.1.1 Description of the Delivery Set,

Available Configurations and Overall

Dimensions

The FitLight Trainer™ is designed to be used as a

training aid for athletic conditioning. Official delivery

is possible in the following versions: 4, 8 and 24

sensors.

Figure 1: FitLight Trainer™ in case.

Blazepod are available in three standart options:

4, 6, and 8 sensors.

Figure 2: Blazepod 6 sensors version.

XLiGHT is available in a set of 6 and 8 sensors.

Similar sets of light sport systems with a

minimum and sufficient set of sensors (6-8 pcs.) with

the necessary equipment included in the delivery

package were selected for comparison (Table 1).

icSPORTS 2021 - 9th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support

124

Figure 3: XLiGHT exterior of the opened set.

Table 1: Physical parameters and the content of sport

systems sets.

Device FitLight

Trainer™

Blazepod XLiGHT

Set

weight, kg

6,92 1,13 1,75

Case Carrying +

charging

case

Cylindrical case with

zipper

Case size 500x400x20

250x100x10

320x110x11

Control

device

Tablet PC

include

Any android or iOS

device

(

not included

)

Charging

devices

1 tablet+

1 for

sensors

Doc-station

+ USB

cable

USB- cable

3.1.2 Prices

The prices of Light Sport Systems (Table 2) are

official and were obtained via a request of distributors

in Russia in 2021.

Table 2: The price of 6-8 sensors version.

Device Price, USD

FitLight 5367

Blazepo

522

XLiGHT 349

3.1.3 Ergonomics of the Product

Each of the presented light sport training devices has

a hard case or a box with a carrying handle.

The FitLight

sensors have a cosmic disk shape,

each located in an individual cell made of foamed

polyethylene, which also serves as a charging port.

The Blazepod sensors are cone-shaped, arranged

in a trunk one behind the other, slightly recessed one

into the other.

XLiGHT sensors have a 6-angle shape, located in

the case one after the other.

All presented sensors are moisture and dust

protected, thus allowing the usage of gadgets in open

air, even in conditions of high humidity, including

rain and snow (Table 3).

Table 3: Physical parameters of sensors.

Device

FitLight

Trainer™

Blazepod XLiGHT

Sensor

weight,

0,252 0,130 0,150

Sensor

lenght, m

125 100 95

Sensor

width, m

125 100 85

Sensor

hei

ht, m

45 42 20

Sensor

water

resistance

class

IP65 IP65 IP65

3.1.4 Charging Features

Each of the simulators under consideration has an

individual battery in its sensors with the possibility of

recharging.

FitLight sensors equipped with NiMH 850 mAh

battery The battery is replaceable, additional batteries

are not included in the delivery package. Charging is

carried out only with a standard 110-240 V ас

charger, which is a carrying case. Charging is

possible only in the opened case. To charge the

battery the sensor is placed in the individual cell

(socket) in the correct position. The full charging time

is 4 hours. The sensors are always on (standby mode)

and ready to connect to the control device.

Our research focused on operation time of

FitLight batteries has revealed that full charge

provided 6 hours of continuous operation while the

ability to work in standby mode was 72 hours without

recharging.

The Blazepod is a not replaceable 600 mAh Li-

pol – battery. Charging is carried out via the charging

station included in the kit via the microUSB cable,

also included in the kit.

The sensors are positioned one above the other,

stable due to the cone shape. Charging is performed

with a standard USB port (110-240V ac adapter,

PowerBank, USB PC socket).

It is available to charge this device from a single

charging station using a single power source up to 8

sensors simultaneously. The full charge time is 2

hours. The sensors are always on, in standby mode,

and ready to be connected to the control device.

So the BlazePod battery provides 8 hours of

operation and it can work in standby mode for 200

hours without recharging.

Modern Light Sport Training Systems: Critical Analysis of Their Construction and Performance Features

125

XLiGHT has 600 mAh LiPol-ion battery,which is

not replaceable as in BlazePod. Charging is carried

out through an individual connection of the sensor via

a microUSB cable to a power source (110-240V ac

adapter, PowerBank, USB PC socket). It comes with

two microUSB cables with 4 charging ports each. So

to charge 6 or more sensors simultaneously, you need

two power sources with USB ports. The full charge

time is 2 hours. The sensors are equipped with an

automatic shutdown system in case of prolonged

absence of communication with the control device.

Self-shutdown of the sensor takes place after 15

seconds of inactivity. Switching on is done manually,

which significantly saves battery power during

standby mode. The measured time of work in the

standby mode was 500 hours without recharging (our

experimental data).

So, FitLight is the least mobile and requires 110-

220 ac. The FitLight sensors have the fastest self-

discharge time since they are always in the switched-

on state. The Blazepod operate without recharging for

several days. For long-term field work the presence

of a powerbank is required. XLight has the longest

self-discharge time.

3.1.5 Accessories

It should be mentioned that the availability and

accessibility of accessories is a very important factor

influencing the possibility of using the analyzed sport

simulators. The purpose of the additional elements is

to organize the mounting of the sensor on various

surfaces.

Since the FitLight Trainer was first introduced to

the market, and has long been used in various sports

and training conditions, it has a large arsenal of

optional accessories (Figure 4).

Figure 4: FitLight trainer accessories.

There is a number of accessories available for

different training conditions: protective cones for

working with feet on horizontal surfaces, magnetic

holders - for working on metal surfaces; frames for

use in open spaces: protective covers for using

sensors as targets in football or tennis, etc. The list of

available accessories is constantly growing and

expanding thanks to the efforts of the manufacturer.

The drawback is the rather high cost of accessories.

The accessories kit includes a Velcro fastening

system and self-adhesive plates both allow you to

organize a fastening to any surface. The disadvantage

of this method is the unreliability of the jointly

formed contact patch since the support element is

attached to the sensor with a latch. During intense

training or testing, when the athlete deactivates the

sensor not by hitting the center precisely but on

spherical edge when the sensor is located on a vertical

wall, an excessive load on the latch leads to a

breakdown of the mounting system. With a very

reliable and durable lamp, the fasteners (latchers) are

the weakest place in FitLight system. In addition, it is

not amenable to self-repair.

The Blazepod trainer does not have any additional

attachments to the surfaces. Only horizontal use is

implied. The sensor has a coating of contact surface

that prevents excessive slipping, which makes it

comfortable to use on any surfaces (lawn, asphalt or

parquet). To expand the training capabilities, the

following accessories are available (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Blazepod accessories.

The kit includes universal mount for fixing the

sensor and suction cups for smooth vertical surfaces

(mirror, glass). There are belts for attaching the

sensor to items such as a punching bag, pole, etc. The

option of mounting on a training cone is also

available. All above mentioned expands the range of

use of the Blazepod simulator.

The XLiGHT sensors already have a built-in

magnetic mount, allowing them to be placed on metal

surfaces in any planes without the use of additional

elements. The installed magnet is powerful enough

that the sensor can be fixed even horizontally above

the athlete without fear of the sensor falling. In

addition, self-adhesive magnetic platforms for

placement on all surfaces and powerful magnets with

Velcro are included. Reflective pads are available for

purchase to work with the sensor with such elements

icSPORTS 2021 - 9th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support

126

as a club or a racket. The metal platforms for

mounting on a cone or for vertical positioning of the

sensor on a horizontal surface, straps for mounting on

vertical elements (punching bag, pole) are also

available to buy separately. Possible options are

shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6: XLiGHT accessories.

Each of the considered simulators has in its

arsenal a set of mounts available for purchase, which

allows to significantly expand the scope of this

simulator and significantly diversify the training

process.

3.2 Connection Features

3.2.1 Common Features

Each of the three described simulators has the ability

to connect to a control device, which is responsible

for the execution of the "request-response" command

by the sensor with fixing the time of its execution.

Each simulator has original software made

exclusively for this type of sensors.

All visual coordination simulators are controlled

with mobile applications. Applications are original

software products adapted to a unique type of sensor.

The sensors of all simulators have an individual code

and connection algorithm and work exclusively with

their own application. In this case, it is possible to

connect an additionally purchased sensor of any of

the above systems to an application corresponding to

this sensor. Thus, it is possible to replace the failed

sensor individually, avoiding replacing the entire set.

3.2.2 Control Devices

FitLight is a tablet PC running Android OS with pre-

installed original software and an original Bluetooth

communication module with an extension of up to 24

connected devices. This control device is included in

the delivery package and is the only possible way to

control the sensors. The control device is also

equipped with an individual charger, which requires

an additional connection to the 110-240 V ac.

The control device of Blazepod is a smartphone

with the Android and Ios operating system. It is

necessary to have a module in the smartphone that

connects via the Bluetooth protocol. Various

smartphone manufacturers set the maximum number

of Bluetooth-enabled devices, usually from 3-12.

Each sensor is an independent Bluetooth device. This

must be taken into account when choosing a

smartphone to work with the simulator. The control

device is not included in the package. It is assumed to

use a personal device, or purchased additionally for

these purposes.

XLiGHT-the control device is a smartphone with

the Android and Ios operating systems. It is necessary

to have a module in the smartphone that connects via

the Bluetooth protocol. Various smartphone

manufacturers set the maximum number of

Bluetooth-enabled devices, usually from 3-12. Each

sensor is an independent Bluetooth device. It is

necessary to take this into account when choosing a

smartphone to work with the simulator. The control

device is not included in the package. It is assumed to

use a personal device, or purchased additionally for

these purposes.

All visual coordination simulators are controlled

by mobile applications. Applications are original

software products adapted to a unique type of sensor.

The sensors of all simulators have an individual code

and connection algorithm and work exclusively with

their own application. In this case, it is possible to

connect an additional sensor purchased from any of

the above systems to the application corresponding to

this sensor. In this way, it is possible to replace the

failed sensor individually, avoiding replacing the

entire set.

3.2.3 Limitations of the Bluetooth Protocol

The Bluetooth™ protocol imposes certain restrictions

on the use of devices, while the FitLight simulator

uses a hardware amplifier signal, which allows you to

expand the work distance of the device up to 100 m.

The Blazepod simulators use an amplified signal

from the sensor, which allows you to work with the

control device up to 70 meters distance.

Xlight uses the Bluetooth receiver of the device

(smartphone) which limits the range to 30-40 meters

Blazepod and XLiGHT use Bluetooth receiver of

the device (smartphone) which limits the range to

30-40 meters.

Using simulators as testing tools, it is necessary to

take into account the position of the control device

relatively to the sensors, because any movement of

the control device, as well as the occurrence of

Modern Light Sport Training Systems: Critical Analysis of Their Construction and Performance Features

127

obstacles in the path of the signal passage, affects the

result of the “signal – response” feedback.

3.2.4 Software Features, Localization

Fitlight and Blazepod are controlled by an app with

an interface in English, no localization is provided.

XLiGHT is controlled by the application in Russian

with the ability to change the control language to

English (pre-installed in the application). Each of the

applications has several preset options for different

workouts, and the number of them varies:

FitLight: there are 12 preset options, divided by

sport, with an ability to customize the parameters

(sensor distance, sensitivity, color and mode, time

delay, timeout, etc) in each option;

BlazePod has more than 100 preset options,

broken down by the training focus. There is no ability

to change any option, but users can create their own

training program based on preset exercises with the

ability to save them as new. Each of the options

presented has a detailed scheme and visualization of

the performance in the form of photos and video

content;

XLiGHT suggests 19 preset original exercises

without reference to a specific sport and type of

training. There is an ability to create an individual

exercise as a separate mode.

Localization: Fitlight and Blazepod are controlled

by an application that has an interface in English,

localization is not provided. XLiGHT is controlled by

the application in Russian with the ability to change

the language to English (pre-installed in the

application).

3.2.5 Functional Capabilities of Sensor

(Signal-Response)

Each of compared sensors have their peculiarities

(Table 4).

3.2.6 Data Upload, Storage, Synchronization

The software of each simulator has an algorithm for

forming and storing a database of the training process.

Each of the presented simulators has the ability to

create an individual profile, link it to a sport, store

training and testing data, and send it by email. csv

format. The amount of information stored is limited

by the memory of the device that is used to control

the sensors.

3.3 Operation Features

3.3.1 Using in Training

Each of the presented simulators has a number of

functions for implementation in the process of sports

training. Interaction with the sensors is carried out

through a visual analyzer and a sequence of actions

determined by a specific exercise. Thus, the task of

coordinating motor actions is performed in

accordance with the specified parameters: flash time,

flash duration, touch time (interrupting the photocell).

This allows you to objectively assess the speed and

correctness of the exercise during sports training.

3.3.2 Using for Testing

To determine comparables of data obtained from

three Light sport systems in testing following

experiment was carried on. Group of athletes (n=50)

11 years old were tested for “Hand-Eye coordination”

in the same conditions (light placement and testing

time) using all simulators. The following average data

were achieved: Fitlight 439,73±55,42 ms; XLiGHT –

497,71±62,24 ms; Blazepod – 564,60±55,03 ms.

The main limitation of using Blazepod and

XLiGHT simulators as testing tools is their instability

in response time to interaction. Blazepod simulator

has no photosensor. That is why it is impossible to

measure reaction time reliably. To trigger the sensor,

a touch with some force is required, which is not

described in the manual and cannot be measured.

At the same time using one simulator allows to

test a group of athletes without comparison with other

groups tested by another simulators (Chepanov,

2021).

At the time of writing, the XLiGHT simulator is

not widely distributed, which does not allow using it

as a reliable source of information for testing.

Table 4: Functional capabilities of sensors in sport training systems.

LED indication:

full

LED indication:

centre only

Touch

sensor

Impact

sensor

Сlose range photo

sensor

Long range photo

sensor

FitLight + + + - + +

Blazepod + - + - - -

XLiGHT + - + + + +

icSPORTS 2021 - 9th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support

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The main reason is the lack of a description of the

delay time of the response of the photo sensor and the

touch sensor. These simulators are also used with

various devices (smartphones, tablet computers),

which is a limitation on the reproducibility of test

results due to the difference in the speed of

information exchange between the control device and

the sensor installed by the manufacturer of

smartphones and tablet computers and different not

only within the manufacturers, but also device

models. Due to its rather long presence on the market

(10 years), the FitLight simulator is widely used in

organizations engaged in sports training

(Rogozhnikov, 2020). At the same time, the

components used have a standard response time (90

ms).

The control device also has the same

characteristics, regardless of the set and the

prescription of delivery. All of the above allows you

to use the FitLight simulator as a testing tool with

high reproducibility of the result (Shvab, 2020),

(Zakharova, 2019).

4 CONCLUSIONS

Three light sport gadgets ̶ Fitlight

, Blazepod and

XLiGHT have been the subject of discussion. Their

physical data and software, operation features and

energy supplement were considered to determine

cons and pros as well as to define the convenience and

validity of using the applications in training and

testing. All devices under consideration are excellent

instruments for organizing the innovative

coordination and agility training.

Fitlight

trainer can be considered the most

optimal tool for the athletes testing as it provides the

more reliable response time due to the fact that

control device is included. In other devices signal

processing algorithm based on the "receive-

transmission" principle completely depends on

Bluetooth controller smartphone.

Blazepod is easy to connect and does not require

special skills in mastering the software. Each exercise

in software is provided with detailed instructions and

video demonstration. It is not recommended to use it

as a test tool because of the large difference in

response time on different control devices. XLiGHT

is the youngest among the presented systems and has

gained the best features of sport training systems

previously released by competitors. But it is still

“half-made”, thus it needs improvement both in

hardware and software.

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