Abstract
Options for monitoring sports have been continuously developed by using activity trackers to determine almost all vital and movement parameters. The aim of this study was to validate heart rate and distance measurements of two activity trackers (Polar Ignite; Garmin Forerunner 945) and a cellphone app (Polar Beat app using iPhone 7 as a hardware platform) in a cross-sectional field study. Thirty-six moderate endurance-trained adults (20 males/16 females) completed a test battery consisting of walking and running 3 km, a 1.6 km interval run (standard 400 m outdoor stadium), 3 km forest run (outdoor), 500/1000 m swim and 4.3/31.5 km cycling tests. Heart rate was recorded via a Polar H10 chest strap and distance was controlled via a map, 400 m stadium or 50 m pool. For all tests except swimming, strong correlation values of r > 0.90 were calculated with moderate exercise intensity and a mean absolute percentage error of 2.85%. During the interval run, several significant deviations (p < 0.049) were observed. The swim disciplines showed significant differences (p < 0.001), with the 500 m test having a mean absolute percentage error of 8.61%, and the 1000 m test of 55.32%. In most tests, significant deviations (p < 0.001) were calculated for distance measurement. However, a maximum mean absolute percentage error of 4.74% and small mean absolute error based on the total route lengths were calculated. This study showed that the accuracy of heart rate measurements could be rated as good, except for rapid changing heart rate during interval training and swimming. Distance measurement differences were rated as non-relevant in practice for use in sports.
Highlights
Wrist-worn activity trackers and wearables are currently very popular among the active general population as well as among competitive athletes
The measured data include sports-related data and data on common everyday activities such as climbing stairs, steps, walking or hiking, and other parameters such as sleep or breathing at night [2] and heart rate variability (HRV) [3]. This enormous potential is of particular interest in the field of sports, especially in the collection of heart rate (HR)- and distancerelated data based on photoplethysmography (PPG) and global navigation satellite system (GNSS)/global positioning system (GPS) sensors in activity trackers [4]
Et al [6] examined during a treadmill test series in distance measurement an r < 0.50 and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) up to 123.76%, and in HR measurement an r > 0.70 with MAPE up to 13.89%
Summary
Wrist-worn activity trackers and wearables are currently very popular among the active general population as well as among competitive athletes. The measured data include sports-related data and data on common everyday activities such as climbing stairs, steps, walking or hiking, and other parameters such as sleep or breathing at night [2] and heart rate variability (HRV) [3]. This enormous potential is of particular interest in the field of sports, especially in the collection of heart rate (HR)- and distancerelated data based on photoplethysmography (PPG) and global navigation satellite system (GNSS)/GPS sensors in activity trackers [4]. Chow and Yang [7] reported for resting HR and in series with moderate physical activity high correlation values (r > 0.80)
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