Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Comparative evaluation of heart rate-based monitors: Apple Watch vs Fitbit Charge HR

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the validity of energy expenditure (EE), steps, and heart rate measured with the Apple Watch 1 and Fitbit Charge HR. Thirty-nine healthy adults wore the two monitors while completing a semi-structured activity protocol consisting of 20 minutes of sedentary activity, 25 minutes of aerobic exercise, and 25 minutes of light intensity physical activity. Criterion measures were obtained from an Oxycon Mobile for EE, a pedometer for steps, and a Polar heart rate strap worn on the chest for heart rate. For estimating whole-trial EE, the mean absolute percent error (MAPE) from Fitbit Charge HR (32.9%) was more than twice that of Apple Watch 1 (15.2%). This trend was consistent for the individual conditions. Both monitors accurately assessed steps during aerobic activity (MAPEApple: 6.2%; MAPEFitbit: 9.4%) but overestimated steps in light physical activity. For heart rate, Fitbit Charge HR produced its smallest MAPE in sedentary behaviors (7.2%), followed by aerobic exercise (8.4%), and light activity (10.1%). The Apple Watch 1 had stronger validity than the Fitbit Charge HR for assessing overall EE and steps during aerobic exercise. The Fitbit Charge HR provided heart rate estimates that were statistically equivalent to Polar monitor.

Citation

Bai, Y., Hibbing, P., Mantis, C., & Welk, G. J. (2018). Comparative evaluation of heart rate-based monitors: Apple Watch vs Fitbit Charge HR. Journal of sports sciences, 36(15), 1734-1741. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2017.1412235

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 24, 2017
Online Publication Date Dec 6, 2017
Publication Date Aug 3, 2018
Deposit Date Aug 27, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of Sports Sciences
Print ISSN 0264-0414
Electronic ISSN 1466-447X
Publisher Taylor and Francis
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 36
Issue 15
Pages 1734-1741
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2017.1412235
Keywords Physical activity trackers; Energy expenditure; Steps; Validity; Semi-structured protocol
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1953435
Publisher URL https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02640414.2017.1412235