Wrist-worn heart rate monitors showed no significant differences in heart rate compared to ECG during incremental cycling exercise (p = 0.239), although a chest-worn monitor offered greater accuracy.
Cross-Sectional (n=18)
Randomized and counterbalanced method for device placement
No
Do commercially available wrist-worn heart rate monitors accurately measure heart rate compared to an ECG across a range of exercise intensities in healthy adults?
Chest-worn heart rate monitors offer greater accuracy than wrist-worn devices across varying exercise intensities, though the Apple Watch and Mio Fuse provided the most valid wrist-based measurements during cycling.
p-value: p=0.239
Commercially available wrist-worn heart rate (HR) monitors have become increasingly popular. However, the accuracy of the devices across a range of exercise intensities is largely unknown. This study investigated the accuracy of four wrist-worn HR monitors (Apple Watch Series 1, Fitbit Charge, TomTom Touch, and Mio Fuse). Eighteen adults completed three trials on a cycle ergometer wearing a chest-worn HR monitor (Polar). Trial 1 established the HR-power output relationship, and resting and maximum HR. In trials 2 and 3, participants were fitted to an electrocardiogram (ECG) and completed a step test consisting of 5 x 3 minute stages at 40 - 80% of HR reserve (determined in trial 1) whilst wearing two wrist-worn HR monitors. Relative to ECG, there were no differences in HR between the devices during exercise (p = 0.239), and no device × exercise intensity interaction (p = 0.370). There were no instances where ECG and Polar data differed by ⥠5 b·min-1. Conversely, there were two instances (2.2%) with the Apple, four (4.4%) with the Mio, 10 (11.1%) with the TomTom, and 19 (21.1%) with the Fitbit. A chest-worn HR monitor offers greater accuracy compared to wrist-worn devices.
Hough et al. (Tue,) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy adults (n=18). Wrist-worn heart rate monitors (Apple Watch Series 1, Fitbit Charge 2, Mio Fuse, TomTom Touch) vs. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest-worn heart rate monitor (Polar) was evaluated on Differences in heart rate between wrist-worn devices and ECG during exercise (p=0.239). Wrist-worn heart rate monitors showed no significant differences in heart rate compared to ECG during incremental cycling exercise (p = 0.239), although a chest-worn monitor offered greater accuracy.