A Comparison of Multiple Wearable Technology Devices Heart Rate and Step Count Measurements During Free Motion and Treadmill Based Measurements

Introduction: Wearable Technology Devices are used to promote physical activity. It is unknown whether different devices measure heart rate and step count consistently during walking or jogging in a free motion setting and on a treadmill. Purpose: To compare heart rate and step count values for the Samsung Gear 2, FitBit Surge, Polar A360, Garmin Vivosmart HR+, Scosche Rhythm+ and the Leaf Health Tracker in walking and jogging activities. Methods: Forty volunteers participated. Devices were worn simultaneously in randomized configurations. 5-minute intervals of walking and jogging were completed in free motion and treadmill settings with matching paces. Heart rates at minutes 3, 4, and 5 were averaged for the devices along with the criterion measure, the Polar T31 monitor. Step count criterion measure was the mean of two manual counters. A 2x6 (environment vs device) repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc was performed with significance set at p<0.05. Results: There was no significant interaction or main effects for walking heart rate. Jogging heart rate saw significant environment and device main effects. Walking step count had a significant interaction between the devices and the environment. Jogging step count had a significant device main effect. Conclusions: There may be some conditions such as heart rate measurements taken while walking or step count measurements taken while jogging/running that may only require treadmill-based validity testing.