Validation Of Step Frequency Estimation From A Wearable Device On A Treadmill And Indoor Track

Abstract

Wearable fitness tracking devices have become common tools for runners of all levels. Using accelerometers, GPS, and heart rate, these devices are able to estimate running variables such as maximum oxygen capacity, step frequency, stride length, and ground contact time which can be used to evaluate technique and performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to validate the step frequency estimation on a Garmin Forerunner 630 for both treadmill and indoor track running. METHODS: Six male and 5 female volunteers (23 ± 4.1 years, 171.8 ± 9.0 cm, 73.9 ± 12.5 kg) performed five total running trials in random order, two on a 200 m indoor track (jogging pace and sprint pace) and three on a treadmill (6 mph, 7 mph, and 8 mph). Each trial was video recorded to count strides for 15 s which were converted to steps per minute and then compared to the estimated step frequency by the Garmin wearable device. Paired t-tests were used to compare the actual measurements to the estimated data for each of the running trials. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between any of the running trials actual step frequency count and the Garmin wearable device’s estimated step frequency (Table 1). CONCLUSION: The Garmin Forerunner 630 is an accurate estimate of running step frequency when using it in an indoor setting, both on the treadmill and an indoor track.Table 1: Mean ± SD of actual step frequency and estimated step frequency from the Garmin wearable device for each of the 5 running trials.