Footpod monitors are wearable devices attaching to the shoe with the ability to sense oscillations in leg movement; however, few studies provide reliability. The purpose was to provide reliability data for outdoor tasks as measured by the Stryd Power Meter, which is a footpod monitor. Young healthy individuals (N=20, male n=12, female n=8) completed two 5-min self-paced walks along a trail, and two 5-min trail runs. Reliability of the tasks was determined using Coefficient of Variation (CV), Intraclass Correlation (ICC), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Measures during trail running that returned a CV less than 10%, met the ICC threshold of 0.70, and displayed good to excellent 95% CI included pace, average elapsed power, average elapsed form power, average elapsed leg spring, and vertical oscillation. The only variable during walking to meet these criteria was maximal power (CV=4.02%, ICC=0.968, CI=0.902, 0.989). Running tasks completed on a trail generally return more consistent measures for variables that can be obtained from the Stryd footpod device than walking tasks.
Validation of heart rate responses in wearable technology devices is generally composed of laboratory-based protocols that are steady state in nature and as a result, high accuracy measures are returned. However, there is a need to understand device validity in applied settings that include varied intensities of exercise. The purpose was to determine concurrent heart rate validity during trail running. Twenty-one healthy participants volunteered (female n = 10, [mean (SD)]: age = 31 [ 11 ] years, height = 173.0 [ 7 ] cm, mass = 75.6 [ 13 ] kg). Participants were outfitted with wearable technology devices (Garmin Fenix 5 wristwatch, Jabra Elite Sport earbuds, Motiv ring, Scosche Rhythm+ forearm band, Suunto Spartan Sport watch with accompanying chest strap) and completed a self-paced 3.22 km trail run while concurrently wearing a criterion heart rate strap (Polar H7 heart rate monitor). The trail runs were out-and-back with the first 1.61 km in an uphill direction, and the 1.61 return being downhill in nature. Validity was determined through three methods: Mean Absolute Percent Error (MAPE), Bland-Altman Limits of Agreement (LOA), and Lin’s Concordance Coefficient (r C ). Validity measures overall are as follows: Garmin Fenix 5 (MAPE = 13%, LOA = -32 to 162, r C = 0.32), Jabra Elite Sport (MAPE = 23%, LOA = -464 to 503, r C = 0.38), Motiv ring (MAPE = 16%, LOA = -52 to 96, r C = 0.29), Scosche Rhythm+ (MAPE = 6%, LOA = -114 to 120, r C = 0.79), Suunto Spartan Sport (MAPE = 2%, LOA = -62 to 61, r C = 0.96). All photoplethysmography-based (PPG) devices displayed poor heart rate agreement during variable intensity trail running. Until technological advances occur in PPG-based devices allowing for acceptable agreement, heart rate in outdoor environments should be obtained using an ECG-based chest strap that can be connected to a wristwatch or other comparable receiver.
Because wearable technology is ubiquitous, it is important to determine validity and reliability not only in a laboratory setting, but applied environments where the general population utilizes the devices. The purpose of this study was to 1) determine intra-rater reliability of visual step count outdoors, 2) determine validity of commercially available wearable technology devices in this setting, and 3) report test-retest reliability of commercial devices during hiking and trail running. Individuals (N = 20) completed 5-min hikes and trail runs on a 200-m section of trail while wearing the following devices: Fitbit Surge 2, Garmin Vivosmart HR+, Leaf Health Tracker, Polar A360, Samsung Gear 2, Spire Activity Tracker, and Stryd Power Meter. Intra-rater reliability and test-retest reliability was determined through Intraclass Correlation (ICC), while validity was determined via Bland-Altman analysis (limits of agreement; LoA), mean average percentage error (MAPE), and ICC. Significance was accepted at thep < .05 level. Steps determined by two independent counters were significantly reliable for the hike (ICC = 0.993, p < 0.001) and trail run (ICC = 0.991,p < 0.001). Three devices were valid across both exercise types and all methods of validity: Garmin Vivosmart HR+ (MAPE = 5.4%, ICC = 0.815, LoA = −58.1 to 50.4), Leaf Health Tracker (MAPE = 8.4%, ICC = 0.816, LoA = −78.8 to 39.4), and Stryd Power Meter (MAPE = 4.7%, ICC = 0.799, LoA = −34.3 to 78.9). As only certain devices returned valid step measurements, continued testing in applied environments are needed to have confidence in utilizing technology to track health and activity goals.
iii Abstract Handgrip fatigue and forearm girth in intermediate sport rock climbers Background: Rock climbing has been increasing in popularity both recreationally and competitively. Indoor sport rock climbing is a type of climbing where the climber ascends a wall using artificial rocks (hand and foot holds) and is attached to a safety rope. Despite this increase in popularity of the sport, the physiological responses to sport climbing as an exercise to specific muscle groups are not well defined in literature. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the change in handgrip strength over a 30-minute bout of continuous climbing, specifically in intermediate sport climbers. An additional aim of this study was to quantify any change in forearm girth over a bout of climbing and compare it to the change in strength and to identify if there is a relationship between the two. Methods: Ten intermediate rock climbers [Age: 26.7±6.7 years; Height: 174.5±6.12 cm; Mass: 68.14±8.21 kg; Body Fat %: 15.75± .63 %; Years Climbing: 7.3±4.69 years;] consented to participate and completed baseline handgrip strength (via handgrip dynamometer) and forearm girth (via tape measure) measurements. A climbing questionnaire indicated their rock climbing ability and defined them as intermediate climbers. Each participant ascended one of two 5.9 routes as many times as possible in 30 minutes. After each ascent, heart rate was taken via 15 second radial palpation and handgrip strength and forearm girth was measured. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and correlation at the p < .05 level. Results: Dominant handgrip strength decreased by 22% and non-dominant handgrip strength decreased by 23%. Dominant and non-dominant forearm girth increased by 4.4%. The average heart rate reached while climbing was 71±4.2 % of agepredicted HRmax. Conclusion: Our results show that over a 30 minute bout of climbing, intermediate sport climbers' handgrip strength decreases and forearm girth increases. iv
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