The validity and inter-device variability of the Apple Watch™ for measuring maximal heart rate
Open accessAbstract
Maximal heart rate (HRmax) is a fundamental measure used in exercise prescription. The Apple Watch™ measures heart rate yet the validity and inter-device variability of the device for measuring HRmax are unknown. Fifteen participants completed a maximal oxygen uptake test while wearing an Apple Watch™ on each wrist. Criterion HRmax was measured using a Polar T31™ chest strap. There were good to very good correlations between the watches and criterion (left: r = 0.87 [90%CI: 0.67 to 0.95]; right: r = 0.98 [90%CI: 0.94 to 0.99]). Standardised mean bias for the left and right watches compared to the criterion were 0.14 (90%CI: −0.12 to 0.39; trivial) and 0.04 (90%CI: −0.07 to 0.15; trivial). Standardised typical error of the estimate for the left and right watches compared to the criterion were 0.51 (90%CI: 0.38 to 0.80; moderate) and 0.22 (90%CI: 0.16 to 0.34; small). Inter-device standardised typical error was 0.46 (90%CI: 0.36 to 0.68; moderate), ICC = 0.84 (90%CI: 0.65 to 0.93). The Apple Watch™ has good to very good criterion validity for measuring HRmax, with no substantial under- or over-estimation. There were moderate and small prediction errors for the left and right watches. Inter-device variability in HRmax is moderate.
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Similar standard typical error levels were seen in maximum heart rate measured during a single incremental maximal oxygen uptake test and heart rate taken from the highest 30-s mean heart rate, with somewhat lower correlation coefficients [24].
“Similar standard typical error levels were seen in maximum heart rate measured during a single incremental maximal oxygen uptake test performed on a treadmill and heart rate taken from the highest 30-s mean heart rate, with somewhat lower correlation coefficients [24].”
From Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review (2020) · cites this paper as [24]
Three studies (23 comparisons) examined interdevice reliability for heart rate, with analyzed sample sizes ranging from 13 to 21.
“Three studies (23 comparisons) examined interdevice reliability for heart rate [24,26,58], with analyzed sample sizes ranging from 13 [24] to 21 [26].”
From Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review (2020) · cites this paper as [24]
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- Authors
- Abt, G., Bray, J., & Benson, A. C.
- Affiliations
- University of Hull (GB)
- Swinburne University of Technology (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Abt, Grant
- Venue
- Journal of Sports Sciences
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-11
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 13
- Pages
- 1447-1452
- ISSN
- 0264-0414 (ISSN-L)
- 1466-447X
- OpenAlex
- W2765153122
- Semantic Scholar
- 031f6584ecf502f67467650c869fdb73f41a8ade
- Cited by
- 41
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3
- FWCI
- 1.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Journal of Sports Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Repository@Hull (Worktribe) (University of Hull) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Swinburne figshare (Swinburne University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- No funding
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Keywords
- maximal heart rate, Apple Watch, wearable heart rate monitor, criterion validity, inter-device variability, VO2max, exercise prescription
- MeSH terms
- Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Male, Oxygen Consumption, Reproducibility of Results, Exercise, Monitoring, Ambulatory, Mobile Applications
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