Validation of photoplethysmography as a method to detect heart rate during rest and exercise

Abstract

Despite their enhanced marketplace visibility, validity of wearable photoplethysmographic heart rate monitoring is scarce. Forty-seven healthy participants performed seven, 6-min exercise bouts and completed a valid skin type scale. Participants wore an Omron HR500U (OHR) and a Mio Alpha (MA), two commercial wearable photoplethysmographic heart rate monitors. Data were compared to a Polar RS800CX (PRS). Means and error were calculated between devices using minutes 2–5. Compared to PRS, MA data was significantly different in walking, biking (2.41 ± 3.99 bpm and 3.26 ± 11.38 bpm, p < 0.05) and weight lifting (23.30 ± 31.94 bpm, p < 0.01). OHR differed from PRS in walking (4.95 ± 7.53 bpm, p < 0.05) and weight lifting (4.67 ± 8.95 bpm, p < 0.05). MA during elliptical, stair climbing and biking conditions demonstrated a strong correlation between jogging speed and error (r = 0.55, p < 0.0001), and showed differences in participants with less photosensitive skin.

• Exercise
• fitness
• heart rate monitors
• photoplethysmogrphy
• wearable technology

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our superb adjunct faculty Alicia Mai for her time and effort during this project. We would also like to give thanks to our faculty, Amerigo Rossi for his enthusiasm and understanding toward this project. Finally, we would like to thank Said Hamdan, the director of the Long Island University Brooklyn Health and Wellness Institute as, without his approval, this study would not have been possible.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. This study was funded in part by Omron Healthcare, Co., Ltd. Omron Healthcare provided renumeration for participants and the necessary heart rate monitor technology to conduct this study.