Accuracy of Heart Rate Watches: Implications for Weight Management
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 27 May 2016
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Public Library of Science (PLoS) in PLOS ONE
- Vol. 11 (5), e0154420
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154420
Abstract
Wrist-worn monitors claim to provide accurate measures of heart rate and energy expenditure. People wishing to lose weight use these devices to monitor energy balance, however the accuracy of these devices to measure such parameters has not been established. To determine the accuracy of four wrist-worn devices (Apple Watch, Fitbit Charge HR, Samsung Gear S and Mio Alpha) to measure heart rate and energy expenditure at rest and during exercise. Twenty-two healthy volunteers (50% female; aged 24 ± 5.6 years) completed ~1-hr protocols involving supine and seated rest, walking and running on a treadmill and cycling on an ergometer. Data from the devices collected during the protocol were compared with reference methods: electrocardiography (heart rate) and indirect calorimetry (energy expenditure). None of the devices performed significantly better overall, however heart rate was consistently more accurate than energy expenditure across all four devices. Correlations between the devices and reference methods were moderate to strong for heart rate (0.67–0.95 [0.35 to 0.98]) and weak to strong for energy expenditure (0.16–0.86 [-0.25 to 0.95]). All devices underestimated both outcomes compared to reference methods. The percentage error for heart rate was small across the devices (range: 1–9%) but greater for energy expenditure (9–43%). Similarly, limits of agreement were considerably narrower for heart rate (ranging from -27.3 to 13.1 bpm) than energy expenditure (ranging from -266.7 to 65.7 kcals) across devices. These devices accurately measure heart rate. However, estimates of energy expenditure are poor and would have implications for people using these devices for weight loss.Keywords
Funding Information
- Coca-Cola
This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit:
- A Comparison of Energy Expenditure Estimation of Several Physical Activity MonitorsMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2013
- Methods of Prescribing Relative Exercise Intensity: Physiological and Practical ConsiderationsSports Medicine, 2013
- Influence of skin type and wavelength on light wave reflectanceJournal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing, 2013
- Appropriate Physical Activity Intervention Strategies for Weight Loss and Prevention of Weight Regain for AdultsMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2009
- Physical Activity and Public HealthMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2007
- An update on the analysis of agreement for orthodontic indicesEuropean Journal of Orthodontics, 2005
- Prediction of energy expenditure from heart rate monitoring during submaximal exerciseJournal of Sports Sciences, 2005
- Simultaneous monitoring of heart rate and motion to assess energy expenditureMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 1997
- The validity and practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VIArchives of Dermatology, 1988
- The Validity and Practicality of Sun-Reactive Skin Types I Through VIArchives of Dermatology, 1988