The validity and inter-device variability of the Apple Watch™ for measuring maximal heart rate

• Published in: Journal of sports sciences 2018-07, Vol.36 (13), p.1447-1452
• Main Authors: Abt, Grant, Bray, James, Benson, Amanda Clare
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clocks & watches; Exercise - physiology; Female; Heart rate; Heart Rate - physiology; Humans; Male; Mobile Applications; Monitoring, Ambulatory - instrumentation; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Reproducibility of Results; Sport science; Validity; Wearable computers; Wrist
• ISSN: 0264-0414; 1466-447X
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1397282

Maximal heart rate (HR ) is a fundamental measure used in exercise prescription. The Apple Watch™ measures heart rate yet the validity and inter-device variability of the device for measuring HR are unknown. Fifteen participants completed a maximal oxygen uptake test while wearing an Apple Watch™ on each wrist. Criterion HR was measured using a Polar T31™ chest strap. There were good to very good correlations between the watches and criterion (left: r = 0.87 [90%CI: 0.67 to 0.95]; right: r = 0.98 [90%CI: 0.94 to 0.99]). Standardised mean bias for the left and right watches compared to the criterion were 0.14 (90%CI: -0.12 to 0.39; trivial) and 0.04 (90%CI: -0.07 to 0.15; trivial). Standardised typical error of the estimate for the left and right watches compared to the criterion were 0.51 (90%CI: 0.38 to 0.80; moderate) and 0.22 (90%CI: 0.16 to 0.34; small). Inter-device standardised typical error was 0.46 (90%CI: 0.36 to 0.68; moderate), ICC = 0.84 (90%CI: 0.65 to 0.93). The Apple Watch™ has good to very good criterion validity for measuring HR , with no substantial under- or over-estimation. There were moderate and small prediction errors for the left and right watches. Inter-device variability in HR is moderate.