Abstract
In people with cystic fibrosis (CF), greater cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with improved survival and quality of life. Wearable activity monitors are a popular method of monitoring exercise, with measures of heart rate used to indicate exercise intensity. We assessed the agreement of heart rate recordings obtained using the Fitbit Charge HR™, Polar® H7 heart rate sensor and Masimo SET® Rad-5v pulse oximeter with the three-lead ECG during continuous and interval exercise.
Adults with CF completed two exercise sessions, of 15-min duration per session, on a cycle ergometer while wearing the previously mentioned monitors. Firstly, participants cycled at 30% of estimated peak workload (Wpeak). Secondly, participants cycled at 1-min intervals at 60% of Wpeak interspersed with 2 min of unloaded cycling. Heart rate readings on all devices were recorded at minute intervals and their agreement was analysed using the Bland–Altman method.
The Polar® H7 heart rate sensor had the best agreement with three-lead ECG, with a bias of 0±1 bpm during both continuous and interval exercise. The Masimo SET® Rad-5v pulse oximeter had good agreement, with a bias of 1±7 bpm and 1±5 bpm during continuous and interval exercise, respectively. The Fitbit Charge HR™ demonstrated less agreement, with a bias of 9±17 bpm and 5±13 bpm during continuous and interval exercise, respectively.
The Fitbit Charge HR™ is not recommended for assessing heart rate during exercise in adults with CF. Findings support the use of the Polar® H7 for accurate heart rate monitoring.
Abstract
The Fitbit Charge HR™ does not provide accurate heart rate measurements during exercise in adults with cystic fibrosis. The Polar® H7 and Masimo SET® Rad-5v pulse oximeter do provide accurate measurements of heart rate. http://bit.ly/2KX0Yvy
Footnotes
Support statement: This work was supported by the SCGH Physiotherapy Dept.
Conflict of interest: M. Gaynor has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: A. Sawyer has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: S. Jenkins has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: J. Wood has nothing to disclose.
- Received January 9, 2019.
- Accepted August 13, 2019.
- Copyright ©ERS 2019
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