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Pilot study assessing the influence of skin type on the heart rate measurements obtained by photoplethysmography with the Apple Watch

Abt, Grant; De Hoyo, Moisés; Muñoz-López, Alejandro; Perry, John; Sañudo, Borja

Authors

Moisés De Hoyo

Alejandro Muñoz-López

John Perry

Borja Sañudo



Abstract

Photoplethysmographic imaging (PPG) is currently used to measure heart rate (HR) and the accuracy of PPG can be influenced by pigmentation of the skin; however, the effects of skin color-related artifacts on PPG during exercise remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the agreement between the Apple Watch photoplethysmography sensor and a criterion, for measuring heart rate across a range of intensities during exercise and to determine the influence of skin type on the accuracy of the measure. Forty-five males (20–43 y) completed the Fitzpatrick Skin Scale and were classified into three different skin type groups: a) types II (n = 15), III (n = 15) and IV (n = 15). Participants performed a graded incremental cycle-ergometer test while simultaneously wearing the Apple Watch and a Polar monitor as a criterion measure. Data from both devices were collected in 5-s epochs. Correlations between devices were very good (0.96–0.99 [95%CI: 0.94 to 0.99]). Significant differences were observed between skin types II and III when the intensity of the exercise was increased, albeit with trivial to small effect sizes (ES: 0.05 to 0.28). All significant differences corresponded to

Citation

Abt, G., De Hoyo, M., Muñoz-López, A., Perry, J., & Sañudo, B. (2019). Pilot study assessing the influence of skin type on the heart rate measurements obtained by photoplethysmography with the Apple Watch. Journal of Medical Systems, 43(7), Article 195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-019-1325-2

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 5, 2019
Online Publication Date May 22, 2019
Publication Date 2019-07
Deposit Date May 7, 2019
Publicly Available Date May 23, 2020
Journal Journal of Medical Systems
Print ISSN 0148-5598
Electronic ISSN 1573-689X
Publisher Springer Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 43
Issue 7
Article Number 195
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-019-1325-2
Keywords Heart rate; Agreement; Wearable sensors; Exercise; Skin type
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1739581
Publisher URL https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10916-019-1325-2

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