Using Smart Bracelets to Assess Heart Rate Among Students During Physical Education Lessons: Feasibility, Reliability, and Validity Study

Abstract

Background An increasing number of wrist-worn wearables are being examined in the context of health care. However, studies of their use during physical education (PE) lessons remain scarce. Objective We aim to examine the reliability and validity of the Fizzo Smart Bracelet (Fizzo) in measuring heart rate (HR) in the laboratory and during PE lessons. Methods In Study 1, 11 healthy subjects (median age 22.0 years, IQR 3.75 years) twice completed a test that involved running on a treadmill at 6 km/h for 12 minutes and 12 km/h for 5 minutes. During the test, participants wore two Fizzo devices, one each on their left and right wrists, to measure their HR. At the same time, the Polar Team2 Pro (Polar), which is worn on the chest, was used as the standard. In Study 2, we went to 10 schools and measured the HR of 24 students (median age 14.0 years, IQR 2.0 years) during PE lessons. During the PE lessons, each student wore a Polar device on their chest and a Fizzo on their right wrist to measure HR data. At the end of the PE lessons, the students and their teachers completed a questionnaire where they assessed the feasibility of Fizzo. The measurements taken by the left wrist Fizzo and the right wrist Fizzo were compared to estimate reliability, while the Fizzo measurements were compared to the Polar measurements to estimate validity. To measure reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), mean difference (MD), standard error of measurement (SEM), and mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) were used. To measure validity, ICC, limits of agreement (LOA), and MAPE were calculated and Bland-Altman plots were constructed. Percentage values were used to estimate the feasibility of Fizzo. Results The Fizzo showed excellent reliability and validity in the laboratory and moderate validity in a PE lesson setting. In Study 1, reliability was excellent (ICC>0.97; MD<0.7; SEM<0.56; MAPE<1.45%). The validity as determined by comparing the left wrist Fizzo and right wrist Fizzo was excellent (ICC>0.98; MAPE<1.85%). Bland-Altman plots showed a strong correlation between left wrist Fizzo measurements (bias=0.48, LOA=–3.94 to 4.89 beats per minute) and right wrist Fizzo measurements (bias=0.56, LOA=–4.60 to 5.72 beats per minute). In Study 2, the validity of the Fizzo was lower compared to that found in Study 1 but still moderate (ICC>0.70; MAPE<9.0%). The Fizzo showed broader LOA in the Bland-Altman plots during the PE lessons (bias=–2.60, LOA=–38.89 to 33.69 beats per minute). Most participants considered the Fizzo very comfortable and easy to put on. All teachers thought the Fizzo was helpful. Conclusions When participants ran on a treadmill in the laboratory, both left and right wrist Fizzo measurements were accurate. The validity of the Fizzo was lower in PE lessons but still reached a moderate level. The Fizzo is feasible for use during PE lessons.

Research on User Experience of Sports Smart Bracelet Based on Fuzzy Comprehensive Appraisal and SSA-BP Neural Network

“…According to a number of studies, AI sports equipment with exercise programs may increase positivity [ 8 , 9 ]. Among them, smart sports bracelets are a commonly used intelligent wearable device in sports today [ 10 , 11 ]. By collecting data and browsing health records, sports smart bracelets can monitor physiological data during exercise [ 12 ].…”

Acceptance of Consumer-Oriented Health Information Technologies (CHITs): Integrating Technology Acceptance Model with Perceived Risk

“…Different CHITs apps were offered through the Apple Store and Google Playstore for various health concerns [23]. Recently CHITs apps and accessories such as smart bands and wristwatches became available and favoured among health-conscious consumers [24,25]. The available CHITs apps and accessories perform health monitoring, physiological activity tracking, notification, heart rate recording, and sleep and mental health monitoring [3,4,5,15,17,24,26,27,29,30].…”

“…Recently CHITs apps and accessories such as smart bands and wristwatches became available and favoured among health-conscious consumers [24,25]. The available CHITs apps and accessories perform health monitoring, physiological activity tracking, notification, heart rate recording, and sleep and mental health monitoring [3,4,5,15,17,24,26,27,29,30]. A complete and detailed report can be quickly produced to help users monitor their health conditions [29].…”

Estimation of Heart Rate and Energy Expenditure Using a Smart Bracelet during Different Exercise Intensities: A Reliability and Validity Study

“…Electrocardiography (ECG) and Polar HR monitors are generally used for HR monitoring [4][5][6]. However, ECG is more suitable for laboratory and hospital settings than for individual use, and wearing a Polar HR chest strap involves a very complex process.…”

“…As wearable devices become more common, it is critical that they produce reliable and valid data. In terms of HR measurement, many peer-reviewed studies have been conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of wearable devices produced by different brands, such as Fizzo, Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Garmin [6,[12][13][14][15][16][17]. Some studies have shown that these devices more accurately measure HR at lower treadmill speeds [18][19][20]; however, others have shown that they are more accurate at higher treadmill speeds [21].…”