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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03612063

Accuracy of Commercially Available Heart Rate Monitors in Athletes

The purpose of this research is to compare four different heart rate monitors (Apple Watch Nike III,Fitbit Iconic, Garmin Vivosmart HR, Tom Tom Spark 3) to an Electrocardiograph (ECG) machine to determine the accuracy of the devices. Over the last two decades, there has been a proliferation of commercially available heart rate monitors. Elite athletes often use heart rate measurements to monitor training and fitness levels. In response, fitness companies have offered a variety of heart rate monitors to the general public. Previously, chest strap monitors that measured electrical activity were mainly used to track heart rates. More recently, wrist-worn monitors that use an optical sensor (light) to measure heart rate have gained in popularity. While the accuracy of chest strap monitors has been studied, there is currently no data concerning the accuracy of wrist-worn heart rate monitors. Assessment of the monitors' accuracy is important for subjects who rely upon the heart rate measurements to guide their athletic activity.

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Key information

Conditions

Heart Rate Monitors Athletes Heart

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States

About this study

In 2018, worldwide sales of wearable fitness monitors are anticipated to exceed 110 million. Millions of consumers purchase fitness trackers that include heart rate monitors in order to help them to maintain their health and wellness. As popularity of these fitness devices grows, assessment and awareness of the accuracy of heart rate measurements becomes increasingly important.

In previous trials, the investigators assessed the accuracy of 4 wrist-worn HR monitors (Apple Watch, Fitbit Blaze, Garmin Forerunner 235, TomTom Spark Cardio) in healthy adult volunteers during various types of exercise. The investigators discovered that the accuracy varied with exercise type. With the treadmill, all devices were acceptable (rc =.88-.93) except the Fitbit Blaze (rc=.76). While biking, the Garmin and Apple Watch were acceptable (rc >.8). On the elliptical trainer without arm levers, only the Apple Watch provided accurate readings (rc=.94). None of the devices gave accurate readings for the elliptical trainer with arm levers (rc <.8). That study is now published.

Reviewers of the investigator's previous work raised an important question: how do commercial optical heart rate monitors perform when measuring heart rate in athletes performing at a high level of exertion? This study addresses that question.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of four heart rate monitors in accomplished athletes (i.e. runners) performing at various levels of exertion, including a high level of exertion.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age > 18 years
  • Patients are able to run a mile in 7 minutes or less

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of a cardiac pacemaker
  • Known chronic and persistent heart rhythm disorders
  • Tattoos around the wrist or forearm area

Treatment and study plan

Fitbit Iconic HR and Garmin Vivosmart HR

Device

During testing, participants will wear two different wrist-worn heart rate monitors, the Polar H7 heart rate sensor, and will be connected to an ECG machine. Participants will be asked to perform a series of movements on a treadmill. Heart rate will be assessed under the following conditions:

  • At rest
  • 4 mph
  • 5 mph
  • 6 mph
  • 7 mph
  • 8 mph
  • 9 mph
  • Post-exercise 1 minute
  • Post exercise 2 minutes

Fitbit Iconic HR and TomTom Spark 3

Device

During testing, participants will wear two different wrist-worn heart rate monitors, the Polar H7 heart rate sensor, and will be connected to an ECG machine. Participants will be asked to perform a series of movements on a treadmill. Heart rate will be assessed under the following conditions:

  • At rest
  • 4 mph
  • 5 mph
  • 6 mph
  • 7 mph
  • 8 mph
  • 9 mph
  • Post-exercise 1 minute
  • Post exercise 2 minutes

Garmin Vivosmart HR and TomTom Spark 3

Device

During testing, participants will wear two different wrist-worn heart rate monitors, the Polar H7 heart rate sensor, and will be connected to an ECG machine. Participants will be asked to perform a series of movements on a treadmill. Heart rate will be assessed under the following conditions:

  • At rest
  • 4 mph
  • 5 mph
  • 6 mph
  • 7 mph
  • 8 mph
  • 9 mph
  • Post-exercise 1 minute
  • Post exercise 2 minutes

Fitbit Iconic HR and Apple Watch III

Device

During testing, participants will wear two different wrist-worn heart rate monitors, the Polar H7 heart rate sensor, and will be connected to an ECG machine. Participants will be asked to perform a series of movements on a treadmill. Heart rate will be assessed under the following conditions:

  • At rest
  • 4 mph
  • 5 mph
  • 6 mph
  • 7 mph
  • 8 mph
  • 9 mph
  • Post-exercise 1 minute
  • Post exercise 2 minutes

Apple Watch III and Garmin Vivosmart HR

Device

During testing, participants will wear two different wrist-worn heart rate monitors, the Polar H7 heart rate sensor, and will be connected to an ECG machine. Participants will be asked to perform a series of movements on a treadmill. Heart rate will be assessed under the following conditions:

  • At rest
  • 4 mph
  • 5 mph
  • 6 mph
  • 7 mph
  • 8 mph
  • 9 mph
  • Post-exercise 1 minute
  • Post exercise 2 minutes

Apple Watch III and TomTom Spark 3

Device

During testing, participants will wear two different wrist-worn heart rate monitors, the Polar H7 heart rate sensor, and will be connected to an ECG machine. Participants will be asked to perform a series of movements on a treadmill. Heart rate will be assessed under the following conditions:

  • At rest
  • 4 mph
  • 5 mph
  • 6 mph
  • 7 mph
  • 8 mph
  • 9 mph
  • Post-exercise 1 minute
  • Post exercise 2 minutes

Primary outcomes

  1. HR Monitor Assessment

    Time frame: 2 minutes of activity

    HR monitor values on each of the two wrist watches will be recorded along with the HR found on the Polar chest strap and ECG. In each running condition, heart rate will be assessed at 2 minutes of activity in order to ensure that a steady state heart rate has been achieved.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The Cleveland Clinic

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Accuracy of Commercially Available Heart Rate Monitors in Athletes: A Prospective, Randomized Study

Acronym: HRM

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Aug 2, 2018
Registry last updated
Apr 10, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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