No abstract

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.

No abstract

A variety of wearable technology devices report heart rate. Heart rate sensing smart bras are manufactured for females who participate in activity, however accuracy has not been determined. the purpose was to determine the validity of heart rate measures in three commercially available sports bras during walking and running. twenty-four healthy females completed bouts of treadmill exercise. the Adidas Smart sports bra, Berlei sports bra, and Sensoria fitness biometric sports bra were tested. participant perception of each garment was obtained immediately after the participant divested the sports bra. The Adidas Smart sports bra was valid only during rest (Intraclass correlation Coefficient [icc] = 0.79, mean absolute percentage error [MAPE] = 4.5%, Limits of Agreement [LoA]=−8 to 8). the Berlei sports bra was valid across all conditions (icc = 0.99, MAPE = 0.66%, LoA = −19 to 19), and the Sensoria biometric bra was valid during rest and walking (icc = 0.96, MAPE = 1.9%, LoA = −15 to 12). Perception of the smart sports bras was higher for the Adidas Smart sports bra and Sensoria Fitness sports bra, and lower for the Berlei sports bra. Sports bra manufacturers designing wearable technology garments must consider the ability of returning accurate biometric data while providing necessary function and comfort to females engaging in physical activity.