title: Accuracy of an infrared LED device to measure heart rate and energy expenditure during rest and exercise.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of the ePulse Personal Fitness Assistant, a forearm-worn device that provides measures of heart rate and estimates energy expenditure. Forty-six participants engaged in 4-minute periods of standing, 2.0 mph walking, 3.5 mph walking, 4.5 mph jogging, and 6.0 mph running. Heart rate and energy expenditure were simultaneously recorded at 60-second intervals using the ePulse, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and indirect calorimetry. The heart rates obtained from the ePulse were highly correlated (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] ≥0.85) with those from the EKG during all conditions. The typical errors progressively increased with increasing exercise intensity but were <5 bpm only during rest and 2.0 mph. Energy expenditure from the ePulse was poorly correlated with indirect calorimetry (ICCs: 0.01-0.36) and the typical errors for energy expenditure ranged from 0.69-2.97 kcal · min(-1), progressively increasing with exercise intensity. These data suggest that the ePulse Personal Fitness Assistant is a valid device for monitoring heart rate at rest and low-intensity exercise, but becomes less accurate as exercise intensity increases. However, it does not appear to be a valid device to estimate energy expenditure during exercise.
authors: Kinesiology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA. cmlee@sfsu.edu
authors: C Matthew
authors: CM
authors: Lee
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Gorelick
authors: Albert
authors: A
authors: Mendoza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture; D011674:Pulse; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult