Background There is strong evidence suggesting that higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with a healthier metabolic profile, and that CRF can serve as a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality. In this context, a smartphone app based on the 2-km walk test (UKK test) would provide the possibility to assess CRF remotely in individuals geographically distributed around a country or continent, and even between continents, with minimal equipment and low costs. Objective The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of 2kmFIT-App developed for Android and iOS mobile operating systems to estimate maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) as an indicator of CRF. The specific aims of the study were to determine the validity of 2kmFIT-App to track distance and calculate heart rate (HR). Methods Twenty participants were included for field-testing validation and reliability analysis. The participants completed the UKK test twice using 2kmFIT-App. Distance and HR were measured with the app as well as with accurate methods, and VO2max was estimated using the UKK test equation. Results The validity results showed the following mean differences (app minus criterion): distance (–70.40, SD 51.47 meters), time (–0.59, SD 0.45 minutes), HR (–16.75, SD 9.96 beats/minute), and VO2max (3.59, SD 2.01 ml/kg/min). There was moderate validity found for HR (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.731, 95% CI –0.211 to 0.942) and good validity found for VO2max (ICC 0.878, 95% CI –0.125 to 0.972). The reliability results showed the following mean differences (retest minus test): app distance (25.99, SD 43.21 meters), app time (–0.15, SD 0.94 seconds), pace (–0.18, SD 0.33 min/km), app HR (–4.5, 13.44 beats/minute), and app VO2max (0.92, SD 3.04 ml/kg/min). There was good reliability for app HR (ICC 0.897, 95% CI 0.742-0.959) and excellent validity for app VO2max (ICC 0.932, 95% CI 0.830-0.973). All of these findings were observed when using the app with an Android operating system, whereas validity was poor when the app was used with iOS. Conclusions This study shows that 2kmFIT-App is a new, scientifically valid and reliable tool able to objectively and remotely estimate CRF, HR, and distance with an Android but not iOS mobile operating system. However, certain limitations such as the time required by 2kmFIT-App to calculate HR or the temperature environment should be considered when using the app.
BACKGROUND There is strong evidence suggesting that higher levels of CRF are associated with a healthier metabolic profile and is a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality. In this context, a smartphone app based on UKK-Test would provide the possibility to assess CRF remotely in individuals geographically distributed around a country, or continent or inter-continent with minimal equipment and low-costs involved. OBJECTIVE The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of 2kmFIT-App developed for Android and iOS mobile operating systems to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). The specific aims of the study were to determine the validity of 2kmFIT-App to track distance and calculate heart rate (HR). METHODS Twenty participants were included for field-testing validation and reliability analysis. The participants completed twice the 2-km walk test (UKK-Test) using the 2kmFIT-App and CRF, distance and HR were collected. RESULTS The validity results showed that the mean difference was: distance (-70.40 ± 51.47 m), criterion time (-0.59 ± 0.45 min), criterion HR (-16.75 ± 9.96 bpm) and criterion VO2max (3.59 ± 2.01 ml/kg/min). There was a moderate validity for HR (ICC=0.731, CI=-0.211 to 0.942) and good for VO2max (ICC=0.878, CI =-0.125 to 0.972). The reliability results showed that the mean difference was: app distance (25.99 ± 43.21 m), app time (-0.15 ± 0.94 s), pace (-0.18 ± 0.33 min/km), app HR (-4.5 ± 13.44 bpm) and app VO2max (0.92 ± 3.04 ml/kg/min). There was a good reliability as revealed by the ICC for app HR (ICC=0.897, CI=0.742 to 0.959), and excellent for app VO2max (ICC=0.932, CI=0.830 to 0.973). CONCLUSIONS The present study finds 2kmFIT-App to be a new and scientifically valid and reliable tool able to objectively and remotely estimate CRF, HR, and distance in Android but not in the iOS mobile operating system.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.